Three acoustic folk tunes that bring new texture and nuance to a classic genre

Sody – “Frozen lake”
-There is a vocal comparison for Sody, but I’m having trouble putting my finger on it. Names like Lorde and Halsey come to mind, for sure. There’s an intimacy to this recording that makes it work really well. Despite it being ostensibly a “commercial” record, there’s a real accessibility to it that I appreciate. The breathy vocal expressionism pulls the listener in, like listening to a good friend share their heart with you. The image in the lyrics is about standing on a frozen lake about to “fall in” but the other partner seems to be in a relationship. It’s a cool realization, yet Sody expresses the emotions in a relatable way.

Go by Ocean – “Ballad of a Masquerade”
-The calm piano energy that opens this track feels comfortable. The vocal has an approachable sincerity that’s sure to win over a lot of fans. There are some really interesting delicate layers to this song, including a trumpet and clarinet. It’s not the typical instrumentation we think of with acoustic folk music, but it all comes together for a sound that is connected to the spirit of the folk genre. The song is about persevering through the challenges of confrontational people. It’s a nice calm track that blends genres in a rewarding way.

Neon Dreams – “Stardust”
-This is a beautiful heartache song that has a spirit that reminds me a lot of classic Coldplay. The lead vocalist here has an excellent transition to falsetto that works well on this track. It’s about someone turning your lungs into “Stardust.” Wow, what an image! Just when you thought that “butterflies” wouldn’t quite convey the feeling someone gives you, how about they turn your lungs to stardust? That works! It’s a sweet, poetic expression that matches the whimsical brightness found in the electric guitar work as well. This is a great tune that mixes together acoustic folk with elements of pop rock seamlessly.

(Link unavailable at time of review. Will replace if made available.)