Matt Wolf – “Living’s a Loan”
-If you’re a fan of folk storytelling songwriting, the first thing I can say is that you’re in the right place. This song has a dreary almost Johnny Cash style of sincerity to it. Wolf’s writing is a bit about debt, a bit of a social commentary, and ultimately about finding a way to make the most of life (despite the circumstances). I also think (could be wrong here) that the “a loan” and “alone” word play that is certainly worth connecting. “Life’s just a race where the deeper you chase it, the deeper your curse.” Wow. This is the kind of songwriting that will stop you in your tracks. It’s a bit more melancholy than most Americana that we feature, but it’s so good that I couldn’t pass it up. Wolf has an insightful, intriguing songwriting gift.
Lucy Clearwater ft. Kenneth Pattengale – “Shoulders”
-If you’re thinking “Pattengale… that name’s familiar” it’s because he’s half of the Grammy-nominated folk duo The Milk Carton Kids. He’s a timeless songwriter and performer who enhances others when he works with them. That’s certainly true on this wonderful duo with Lucy Clearwater (who we have covered recently). This sound is intimate, close, and sincere; it’s the kind of track that feels like it could have been captured back in the 1960s folk revival, but it’s got the advantage of 21st century recording clarity and quality. One of the notable features of the song is how the dynamics dip from quiet and gentle to a soaring and emotional crux on the chorus. I’ve been curating a playlist called Artful Folk here lately and this is exactly the kind of song that the playlist is designed to feature. This is more than just a song, it’s a piece of audio artwork.
Teddy Grossman – “Halcyon”
-There’s a thoughtful folk energy to this track that captures my attention every time I click play on it. It feels like it could be considered folk rock with the forward momentum of the percussion. The opening line, “was it nighttime when you called me up from the great beyond?” Wow. If you’ve ever felt a connection with someone who has passed on, this line will jump right off the page for you (like it did for me). The lyrics continue in a similar vein, featuring these rolling and rising elements that are equal parts folk and rock. We’ve been featuring more “gritty modern” style Americana lately, so this sound from Grossman fits in that curation perfectly. If you’re looking for a message that’s easy going enough to play in the background or lean in and really feel, this is the perfect Americana jam.
Image courtesy: Matt Wolf IG
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