Noah Derksen and Lori McKenna – “Mercy on the Skyline”-I don’t remember exactly what I said the last time I reviewed Noah Derksen’s music, but I know I’ve liked everything he’s sent me. It’s easy to hear why in the opening of this …
Category: Americana
Three genre-bending new tracks that command your attention with excellent production and performance
Iona Luke – “Existential”-The lyrical core of this song is about only ever getting to be one person. What a thought!? In a world with so many being self obsessed, this track laments the reality of not getting to be someone else. The …
Three brand new tunes that sound like they capture the past (in the most delightful way)
John Wheeler – “Home Again”-John Wheeler is a talented songwriter and a great guitarist. This track captures a remarkable acoustic guitar sound and storytelling folk that feels like it could have been written a hundred years ago. There’s an energy to the recording …
Three outstanding songwriters in the folk scene that will remind you why storytelling songs are so important
Wendlo – “Spenard”-When I listen to this song, I find there’s such a unique element to it. I don’t know where the street called Spenard is, and I don’t know any of the people in the narrative. But yet, as I listen, I …
Three new tracks in the Americana and bluegrass scene that’ll you’ll want to hear
Mira Lazuli – “Good News”-I don’t always feature songs with a prominent accordion, but this new track, “Good News,” is one that begs for approval simply because of how spirited the track is. The artist creates an energy that is equal parts Americana …
Artist Spotlight: Folk’s new hero, Jesse Welles
From the first time I heard Jesse Welles, I knew he was special. It’s his affect, his phrasing, his easy way with the guitar or the harmonica, and most certainly his generational lyricism… it all rolls together into something spectacular. He’s been everywhere …
Three mellow rock tracks to bring some perspective in these troubling times
Dunsun – “When the Devil Gets his Way”-There’s something deeply mysterious and heavy, beyond bluesy, at the heart of this track. I appreciate the depth and sincerity in the composition here. The lyrics are almost scripture in terms of knowing better, yet we …
Four tracks we found on the submission platform Groover that we’d like to share
Tiny Cities – “Body Cast”-There’s a chill folk energy to this track that made it jump off the page right away. The easy going sway pulls the listener in for a relaxing style. Once the layered vocal enters the track, it feels accessible …
Three new tracks in the Americana and rootsy folk world that you’ll want to hear right now
Leeann Skoda and Ryan O’Reilly – “Things we just don’t talk about”-This song is about life after an ended relationship. It’s about memory and heartache. It’s about moving on. It’s also about how hard it is to deal with trauma and difficulty without …
Three emerging Americana artists for your favorite playlists
Remy Sher – “If She Left (I Think I’d Miss Her)”-I’m a sucker for an understated lyric in the vein of Blaze Foley or even John Prine. I don’t think it’s overstating that this track has some of that chill, easy going Americana …
