Anna Tivel – “Gunmetal Blue”
-If you’ve been reading my coverage of folk music for any length of time, you know I’ve been writing about Anna Tivel for years. I once got to meet her at a show in Akron, Ohio and she’s just as lovely a soul as you’d imagine. That gentle spirit, tender expression, and thoughtful writing comes through on this latest track “Gunmetal Blue.” It’s more or less poetry set to music. Unlike much of her work, which tends to have a conventional melodic structure, this one is a bit more expressionistic. I am not sure of all the technical music work that’s happening here with the dissonance in the background, but what I can tell you is that with every time I’ve listened I’ve felt like I was falling backward gently into something… like a bed of clover or a mossy patch in the woods. To call it “dreamlike” is an understatement. This is a song that has to be experienced; click play, dear friends.
Cole Swensen – “My Alexandra”
-When I listen to Cole Swensen’s music, I feel exactly the same way I do when I talk to a literal family member. It’s weird because I’ve only virtually met Cole once, but through his music I feel like I really know him. This track has some delightful organ chords that set a different mood than some of his other work. It’s visceral and captivating, creating the perfect base for his characteristic tender vocal work. The pacing and phrasing of his lyrical work on this track is special, even by Swensen’s already outstanding standards. I’m not sure if Alexandra is a muse or some mythical fulfillment of a dream, but she certainly seems more than a romantic pursuit. If you’ve ever been teased by a creative muse or something that felt just beyond your reach, this song will absolutely resonate. I like how this song sounds and I love how it makes me feel. Swensen is an exceptional songwriter and this track deserves widespread attention.
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