Kyle Szalay – “How do you feel?”
-The calm of the acoustic guitar in the opening of this track won me over right away. Then that first line… oh my goodness it hit me really well. If you’ve ever had a conflict or breakup and had a sad song stop you in your tracks, then this song will be relatable. The evident love and empathy in this track is both endearing and relatable. The raw emotion expressed in the vocal and the composition comes through in every line. This is the kind of music that I mean when I tell people l listen to folk music; authentic, expressive, acoustic, and moving.
Brenton Gardner – “Seeing stars”
-I recommend listening to this track in a very quiet space if you can. Put on some good headphones and just listen. Gardner sings with an almost-spoken style and it really works here. He has this line contrasting lust and love that is deeply truthful. There’s a poetic depth to this song that deserves much wider audience. This is the kind of cuts-to-the-quick songwriting that I love to support. The guitar work is chill and satisfying, but it’s Gardner’s poetic lyrical delivery that makes the song go from good to great.
Theo Kandel – “Grail quest”
-I love the style and songwriting here. I had never heard Theo Kandel before this track but I’m sure he’s a songwriter I’ll be following in the future. There’s a sort of James Taylor style at times while also a more contemporary Adam Melchor flavor as well. The complexity of the melody on this track will keep you coming back for multiple listens. I appreciate how the simplicity of the recording contrasts with the remarkable complexity of the song itself. I’d like to know more about Kandel’s training and background because there’s a real virtuosic quality to this track. There’s not much more I can say; you just have to hear it.
Image courtesy: Theo Kandel IG
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