Three acoustic folk songs to move you to emotions this mid February

Darren Roy Clarke – “Dirty Face and a Broken Dream”
-From the very opening fingerpicked lines of this song, I was interested. The subtle vocal work, especially with the harmonies, pull me in even more. It’s about intimacy, really. It’s a song about wanting desperately for someone to see the real you. The expressive lines are in part romantic, but I find them to be deeply human. If you’ve ever longed to be with someone, to have them notice and appreciate you, this song will surely resonate. It’s right at the confluence of where folk and Americana blend, capturing some of the mid-20th century folk singers more than contemporary Americana. We’re certainly happy to support this sound here.

Ivan Newman – “Turn My Life Around”
-If you’re a fan of more intellectual lyrics and a sincere songwriting style, this new song from Ivan Newman will appeal to you. It’s got a sophistication right from the start. It doesn’t have the whimsy of a lot of folk music, rather conveying a serious calling or command to go somewhere difficult. There’s a dark, ominous sense both in the instrumentation and the lyrics. It’s almost a challenge in the lyrical message to the subject of the song with spiritual overtones. I don’t pretend to fully understand the message, but it’s a fascinating track. The vocal harmonies and overall structure is haunting in a very intriguing way.

Hayden Everett – “See You Soon”
-Everything from the beat to the quality of the vocal on this track popped for me on this one. It’s not the traditional throwback folk sound that we often feature, but it certainly features this contemporary style of folk that really appeals to our readership. The expressive songwriting and free flowing sense of each lyrical line works well. It’s the kind of song that makes you feel comfortable and chill. If you’ve ever wanted to see someone but wondered if you were going to let them down, this song will certainly relate. I can personally connect with it on a personal level. It’s the kind of song that will remind you of specific people and moments from your life. It’s cool and comfortable in a way that reminds me a bit of late 90s and early 2000s pop… where the lines between alt rock and pop were blurred in a beautifully engaging way. This is a song that feels like it would be right at home in that time period – in a good way.

Image Courtesy: Ivan Newman IG