Three folk rock tunes that you’ll want for your playlists right away

Levi Barrett – “Orofino”
-This song… man oh days… hit me in a special way. The opening has a beautiful steel guitar that caught my attention, then the vocal harmonies took the song in a powerful direction. It just sounds like home, if you know what I mean. There’s a connection to a familiar feeling in my soul to people and places that have shaped me over the years. Barrett sings with a sincerity and depth that we rarely hear these days. The lyrics remind me of reading classic travel literature, a story about taking a ride across the countryside. It’s an absolutely great tune.

Moozy – “Always the end”
-There’s a careful, almost cautious approach in the opening of this song. The plaintive lyrics introduce a complex, seemingly broken relationship with a smart, folk-informed rock style. The chord changes on the chorus are endearingly complicated, creating a sophisticated sound that keeps reminding me of John Mayer’s early work. Some of the production effects on the electric guitar, especially on the instrumental break between verses, gives the song a bit of distinctiveness that helps it find a unique direction even in the well-worn paths of folk rock. The fading out “always the end” lyric is cleverly executed for a satisfying finish to a special track.

Nathan Xander – “People might believe”
-This song from Nathan Xander feels like a traditional folk rock song. The rhythm section keeps it moving while Xander puts an expressive vocal on the top. The line, “I can’t talk to my own family about the world I want to see” hit me a lot harder than I expected. It’s a fascinating track with a throwback sentiment musically with a dreamer’s hopefulness in the lyrics. The sound and substance remind me of something that would make John Prine proud, and honestly, I can’t think of a better goal as a songwriter than to make old Handsome Johnny proud. This is a gem. Give it a spin and listen close.

Image courtesy: Nathan Xander IG

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