Julian Giaimo – “I Miss You”
-The cathartic acoustic guitar on this track won my heart right away. Hearing Giaimo’s beautiful vocal tone made the song go from good to even better. The romantic lyrics and peaceful as well. The full composition comes together really well. I am a huge fan of the chromatic melodic structure on the chorus as well. The song seems to have this feeling of love and tranquility that comes across with every listen. If you’ve ever experienced a long distance relationship, this song will resonate significantly.
being anne and Wilhelm Tell Me – “what did you do”
-As folk duos go, this might be one of the most captivating things I’ve heard in recent years. There’s an understated quality to the recording that allows the vocals to really seep through. It’s an intimate sound with a comforting acoustic guitar providing a basis for the tender lyric work. It is, ultimately, a love song. “Touch my heart — don’t let me go.” The dynamics on the chorus work really well, with a style of blending that we don’t often hear in music today. It’s rare to find a track that encourages listeners to slow down and lean in so effectively.
Tomo – “Mother Don’t Cry”
-The opening chord and mood feels mysterious right from the start. The lyrics are equally sullen and dark, giving the listener a real sense of dread. It’s gritty, rooted in the streets with a fear of the ugliness of the world. It’s an amazing bit of songwriting, actually. The darkness of the lyrics have an underlying hopefulness to them all while confronting drug and alcohol problems in modern society. This is artful purpose-driven songwriting in the tradition of someone like Bob Dylan, but updated with a contemporary relevancy. Fair warning — it’s an emotional song from start to finish.
