Evan Effres – “Second to none”
-We’ve covered Effres a few times here in recent memory; it’s easy to hear what we like about the style. The guitar is always good, but it’s Effres’s expressive vocal style that continues to stand out. There’s a bit of Ray Lamontagne as well as some Stu Larsen in the sound. The crooning “I’m gonna love you always” is a relatable sentiment for anyone who has ever truly loved someone, whether that’s in a relationship or just from afar. I will warn listeners… this one has a way of moving deep into your heart and might tease out some well-buried feelings. No? Just me? Oh… well… alright then. I love the vocal harmonies and the ability to conjure long lost (or long ignored) sentiments.
Joe Matzzie – “The new Seattle”
-There’s a captivating energy to Joe Matzzie’s vocal. You can tell right away that he believes every lyric that he sings. He reminds me of a Woody Guthrie style of folk music. It’s not just humming a tune with some poetic lyrics; it’s a performance. It’s a story that has to move the audience to action, to conviction, to movement. This sentiment comes through clearly with Matzzie’s convincing, old fashioned energy. Fans of traditional folk and Americana music are going to find a lot to love about this song and the traditions that it emulates.
Jeremy Voltz – “Hold me up”
-This is actually a really interesting genre blend of a song. There’s certainly acoustic folk energy here, but there might also be some jazz and blues influences underlying the overall energy. The track feels like an expressive style that is sure to find a lot of support among some of our readers. Voltz has an engaging vocal style that is strong from start to finish… to say nothing of the wonderful little whistling solo. The track feels genuine and refreshing.