Three exceptional new Americana tunes that reach back to the historical roots of music

Spencer Thomas Smith – “Satellites”
-Fans of acoustic folk music are going to absolutely love Spencer Thomas Smith. If you’ve been around my folk musings for any length of time, you’ll know how highly I think of Jeffrey Martin and Smith gives me some serious Martin vibes. The poetic, peaceful energy of this track immediately stands out from the crowd. It feels like talking with a dear friend. Some of the string work has the delightful imperfections of a genuine performance; it feels like the real thing because it is the real things. This is what Americana music is about in my opinion; this is a recording that would have held up in the 1930s just as it does today. It’s a gem.

Whitney Fenimore – “Stay a little longer”
-There’s a coolness to this track that reminds me of classic country music. The lyrical sentiment is romantic and pure. If you’ve ever been with someone that just felt like a natural fit, this song will resonate. The lyrics are very specific about one relationship, but it’s amazing how relatable it can be if you’ve ever had that kind of special someone in your life. The instrumentation has a clean mix of mid-century country and more contemporary rock elements. The production allows Fenimore’s vocal to stay over top of all of it so that the listener can connect with the emotional keys of the song. It’s sweet in all the right ways.

Starling Arrow – “Wild sweet”
-From the first time I clicked on this track, I knew I was going to be a Starling Arrow fan. The beautiful voices are all nice on their own, but this blending really feels like something special. There’s a timelessness to the music that sounds like it’s harkening back to our ancestors. There’s a spiritual energy to the track that I felt right away; I don’t quite know how to explain it, but the emphasis on wildness and nature is beautifully done. The background info on the band explained that they formed as separate songwriters who collaborated over the isolation of the pandemic. This is, in so many ways, an endearing musical expression that has emerged from a truly awful time. I feel humbled to get to hear them and I hope others are able to feel a connection as well.