Three outstanding acoustic folk singer songwriters for your midweek

Cole Swensen – “Scars on your shoulder”
-If you’ve been around my folk coverage much for the past year, you’ve seen Cole Swensen’s name and heard his incredible songwriting. In a world of copycats and similar artists, Swenson paves his own way with a truly unique style based on subtle acoustic guitar and excellent plaintive vocal delivery. I always end up saying songs like “Scars on your shoulder” are “poetic.” This is really a lamentation; it’s an expression of sadness and brokenness. There’s so much authenticity to the recording that makes it feel genuine. The timing of the track feels so natural, allowing the lyrical message to be the supreme arbiter of the direction of the song. This is a masterful piece of writing and deserves a wide audience.

King of Arcadia – “The Fall”
-I’ve been a sucker for a whistling solo pretty much my whole life. But gosh… I don’t know how many I’ve heard with such an intricate melody. This track begins with a cathartic acoustic guitar part followed by a beautiful whistle solo. I was hooked by the time I got to the first line. Then the voice entered and I liked it all over again! Every line feels like it was intricately and deliberately written. The vocal tone reminds me a lot of Robert Ellis. Call this folk or Americana, it’s a wonderful track. Fans of narrative folk music (which is probably most of us) will find a lot to like about this song. Oh… and I almost forgot to mention the steel guitar…

Kirzy – “Follow the Sun” (Xavier Rudd cover)
-We very rarely share covers, so when we do it’s because it is a truly exceptional performance. This recording fits that description. The acoustic guitar has a bright sense of momentum and calm to it. The vocal soars over the fantastic guitar work to create a real mix of movement and space. The chromatic melodic development throughout the track enhances the message of embracing our existence. “Cherish this moment” is such a powerful sentiment in a world that magnifies stress, striving, and straining. This is a countercultural message to embrace the present and soak it all in. This is an excellent song with an outstanding performance. Share it widely, please.