Brook St – “Crystal Palace Park”
-There’s a chill, understated energy to this track that definitely caught my attention from first listen. The vocal harmonies are subtle yet satisfying. The poetic lyrical work is really well done. If you’ve ever been with someone that made you love the way they looked at you but it also made you squirm in a good way… then this song is absolutely for you. It’s got a charming, lighthearted vibe to it that makes it feel just right. Fans of the Dodie Clark, Rusty Clanton, Orla Gartland (etc) contemporary folk scene will enjoy this track a great deal.
Hills of Belgium – “Poor John”
-There’s a wonderfully accessible style to this track from Hills of Belgium. The banjo is probably my favorite part, but the whole song has a lovely vibe. The understated horns create a sense of depth in the production that works really well. The lyrical style invites the listener in to consider who Poor John is and connect with his story. I appreciate the blend of styles from traditional Americana type, bluegrass, and certainly narrative folk. It’s a collection that feels both familiar (in that you know each style expressed) but also unique (in how they dance together here). It’s a gem.
Bob John Holt – “The Winding Road of Life”
-I try not to use the term Old World too often, but I definitely get some Old World vibes from this track. Bob John Holt has a timeless vocal style that works perfectly with the timeless songwriting style here. I enjoy the narrative opening, but it’s the chorus that feels like it was made for the whole pub to sing along that I love the most. I appreciate that there’s a parable inherent to the lyrics, which are far more philosophical than you might expect at first listen. This is a great tune and I’m glad to have found it here in the opening of 2025.
Image courtesy: Brook St IG
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