Chloe Foy – “in the bleak midwinter”
The delicate instrumentation on this received our attention immediately. This cover of a classic Christmas song, originating from a 1872 Christina Rossetti poem, is melancholy but vibrant, both attributes of the extraordinary songwriter Chloe Foy. Her talent is evident in everything she releases and has garnered much deserved attention from outlets like NPR and showcased at SXSW. Her stock will continue to rise with the release of a new EP coming in spring.
Guster – “Hard Times” (Acoustic)
We have loved the new direction of Guster in this past year. Their continued evolution is apparent on this acoustic version of “Hard Times”. The sway of the track is one of the band’s strengths – how they seamlessly move from ears to hearts. We appreciate the stripped version and the atmosphere the band creates. At this point, their band chemistry is set and continues to crackle with the passion of an act who is continuing to push their craft and talent to new levels.
Night Lights – “Talk To Me” (Stripped)
This stripped back version of “Talk To Me” gives listeners all the feels needed for a cold winter day. The band explores the burden of existing on the track, while crafting a hopeful tinge of sonic goodness that is both compelling and rich. The band is on the rise for their upbeat and dynamic tracks, with the original “Talk To Me” being produced by Brian Phillips (Walk the Moon, COIN). We appreciate the stripped version of this and appreciate the heart behind it. It is an essential reflective and meditative track.
Sara Phillips – “Six Feet Under”
The piano driven emotion of Phillips is something special. Blending pop with more indie credibility, she creates a near perfect love lost track. We were immediately reminded of artists like Amy Shark, while even hearing a Joni Mitchell influence underneath the more modern approach. The strength of Sara Phillips might be found in her ability to break hearts with emotive verse, while still offering council and hope for better. Her sound is enduring with honest beauty.
