Three new indie folk tunes that will help you finish the week strong

Tilda – “To Be Someone Else”
-There’s something about the melodic structure of this song that reminds me of Billie Eilish. The overall composition is thoughtful, allowing the acoustic guitar to take central stage. The vocal delivery is wonderful, allowing the message of the song to come across clearly. The lyrical message is about finding your voice and personal space. There’s a real “coming of age” element to the song that I appreciate. This is a thoughtful, engaging piece of folk music.

Hugo Branzen – “Forever”
-There’s a bouncy pop folk energy to this track that captured my attention from first listen. As a horn player myself, I found the subtle trumpet in the background to be charming and providing some lovely texture. The main melody and especially the vocal expressiveness is what makes the song stand out from the crowd. The lyrical theme about seizing opportunities is something I’ve been explaining to my own children lately; I had to do this sort of thing in my college years, taking advantage of every opportunity because I knew it wouldn’t last forever. Each life stage has its own elements, but you don’t want to get to a point that you regret your past. The concept of “forever” and the chances we only get once… lots to say about this! What a great tune with a thoughtful lyrical idea… I dig this one for sure.

Still Ivy – “Changing (Leaving)”
-Sometimes when I’m processing submissions I run across a song and literally cannot figure out why it’s not a top 40 hit. That’s how I felt when I heard this track for the first time. It has everything you want for a radio hit; the concept is relatable and engaging, the beat is infectious, and the vocal cuts through with a characteristic vibe. In a world with so much music that’s hard to follow and unnecessarily abstract, this is a track that captures the sentiments of the middle ground of a relationship that is falling apart. We’ve all been there, right, where you have strong feelings for someone and want to be with them but you can feel it fracturing. Both people are changing, you feel the collapse, but you’re struggling with the process of leaving. This is a fantastic song that we should all share widely so we can say, “I heard this before they went viral!”