Three acoustic indie folk artists for your audio enjoyment

Andhi and the O’Neills – “Sublet My Heart”
-Something about the composition of this song reminds me of early rock n’ roll, but it’s definitely right in the pocket of folk music. The lyrical concept reminds me of those early 50s songs in the vein of “I wanna hold your hand.” It’s a bit more sophisticated than that, especially on the verses, but it’s the sweet simplicity of it that gives this track its charm. I’m sure that some fans of a *certain age* are going to really appreciate the nostalgic charm of this wonderful composition. It sure stands out in the genre today and I’m happy to feature it here.

Luna Keller and Genesis Ritchot – “Paper Dreaming”
-I’ve been featuring a lot of Luna Keller here this year. She’s one of those artists that has become an almost automatic “yes” for me due to the consistently high quality of performance. This track has some delightful folk duo harmonies, which I’m always eager to feature. This one has delicate melodic lines and harmonies that certainly connect. The lyrics are also quite charming with a literary quality to them that makes them stand out from the crowd. It’s a love song with the twist that it’s about a dream of what might be rather than what it is. If you’ve ever had a dream of a life with someone, this song is delightfully relatable. I’m not sure if it’s written as a wedding song, but I think it would absolutely work for that purpose. It’s wholesome and romantic.

Rowan Murphy – “Heal in Hell”
-Well, well, well. This song is on another level in many different ways, but mostly because the lyrics cut right through. There’s no way to listen to this song casually. As soon as you hear it, you’ll be pulled out of your comfort and be forced to confront what is, evidently, a case of abuse. That said, Murphy writes and sings with a clarity that reminds me of the female pioneers of country music. While the style is more folk than country, it’s the truthtelling that draws the parallel for me. There’s a strong sense of justice with this lyrical concept and retribution is at the heart — and I mean that, the heart of this song. I can guarantee you’ve never heard anything like this in your life. It carries a lot of weight and is well worth the time to connect with it.