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Acoustic Pop

The LA singer-songwriter Eric Baugh has made his acoustic folk-rock debut with his compulsion-questioning single, Silent Spring

Posted on 2 October 2023

Eric Baugh strummed the decades and all the contemporary distractions which came as a courtesy of them in his debut single, Silent Spring. The bluesy lead notes against the quiescent calm of the acoustic folk-rock chords beneath his beckoning vocal lines will strike all the right notes with fans of Cat Stevens and Paul Simon.

The LA-based singer-songwriter made as much of a case for the beauty in simplicity in his guitar work as his lyrics which bring to question the way we live as though there’s no alternative. Consumerism and greed were never part of the human psyche’s blueprint; as eloquently illustrated by Baugh, we’ve been conditioned into commercialist conformity, and it is never too late to start again.

It may take more than one stunning song fuelled with small-town iconography and bearing R.E.M. reminiscences to derail our descent into further despondency with the world around us, but Baugh’s contribution is sure to compel his listeners into questioning their compulsions.

Silent Spring reached all major platforms on September 15; stream it via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The indie raconteur Zarko let it flow in his acoustic expedition to ‘River Town’

Posted on 23 September 2023

If you still revere Closing Time by Tom Waits as one of the best albums of all time, you’ll find the latest single, River Town, from the Serbian indie folk raconteur Zarko just as resolving in its acoustic rapture.

The instrumentals may be minimal, but that didn’t get in the way of the up-and-coming singer-songwriter when he put his masterful mind to painting a panoramic picture of barflies in a town which used to conjure brighter emotions. I’m sure we can all relate to the alienating sense of dejection that ebbs away at our ability to feel anything but numb. With River Town on the airwaves, the sensation feels infinitely less lonely.

On the basis of River Town alone, Zarko should be celebrating the same success as Amigo the Devil with his delectable brand of folk blues. For your own sake, pay the hit song a visit.

River Town was officially released on September 2nd; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mark Ben Wilson is searching on the other side in his compassionately warm folk-pop single, Horizons

Posted on 22 September 2023

Some tracks allow you to fall in love with a three-minute experience; others allow you to develop a deep kinship with the artist through their inviting warmth. After listening to Mark Ben Wilson’s single, Horizons, it is safe to say that he puts his listeners in the latter camp with the evocative resonance in his guitar work that is only matched by the compassionate honey that drips from his vocal lines.

His humble yet highly assured approach to passionately pure acoustic folk-pop is intoxicating from the first melodic breath; as Horizons continues to unravel, you’re taken along for the emotive ride as he searches for meaning on the other side of the kind of storm that leaves you alone holding up an umbrella. It’s a stunning vignette that will easily enamour any fans of Ben Howard, John Butler and Fink.

Horizons will release along with Wilson’s LP, Roots & Wings on September 22nd. Stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alexander Joseph illuminated the airwaves with his elevated folk-pop single, Guiding Star

Posted on 3 September 2023

If your folk-pop playlists need a boost, the evocatively uplifting latest single, Guiding Star, from Alexander Joseph will elevate them until they reach a new plateau of accordant soul.

If you know all too well how it feels to fear fading into obscurity, Guiding Star will deliver illuminating resonance. Traversing themes of desperation to escape while having no sense of direction was the ultimate affirmation that the singer-songwriter crafted this compassionately melodic single straight from his jaded soul.

There may not be any way to abstract the complexities and uncertainties of life, but hitting play on a track and knowing you’re not the only dog in the disjointing fight is as close to a sanctuary this society can provide.

If you can’t get enough of Alexander Joseph’s consoling lyricism, you don’t have long to wait for the UK artist’s EP, Stop and Breathe, which is due out in October. The EP will be used to raise funds for the charity One Tree Planted, which is combatting the impact of global warming through vital reforestation work.

Guiding Star was officially released on August 25; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ro Jordan has released her narratively Elysian acoustic pop hit, Asking Heaven Questions

Posted on 26 May 2023
https://soundcloud.com/user-310885324/asking-heaven-questions/s-sUbv3cO0KfA?si=339d7f4e20564fdeb6773405d895316c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The title of Ro Jordan’s latest single, Asking Heaven Questions, isn’t the only thing sonically Elysian about the evocative indie pop release, which will throw you right back to the empowering soul of 90s pop as it establishes the BBC-lauded songstress as one that could define the future of the genre.

Her narratively immersing approach to lyricism has been honed to the nth degree in the single, which effortlessly evades cliches while traversing the well-trodden landscape of heartbreak pop hits. If there is anything that will leave the impious calling out to higher powers, it is being torn from a dynamic that you were once so eager to place the lion’s share of your faith. In its wake, there’s little more than grief and uncertainty, which Ro Jordan so eloquently alludes to in the metaphorical dream of a dark acoustic production.

Asking Heaven Questions will release across all major platforms on May 26; hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Acoustic pop raconeteur Jack Holler disarms with the rugged charm in his single, The Foolsong

Posted on 8 January 2023

Acoustic pop raconteur Jack Holler won our hearts and minds while arresting our rhythmic pulses with his stripped-back acoustic single, The Foolsong. It’s just as humbly disarming as the title implies.

It’s always immediately obvious whether an artist aims for sincere expression or shoots for the lofty unattainability of perfection. Holler has clearly pitched a tent and started a fire in the former camp with this everyman-indie-folk-blues-pop serenade which traverses the very human inclination to become love’s fool once the fabled cherub locks and draws his arrows.

Between Glenn Hansard and Jack Johnson, you will find Holler’s ruggedly affectionate charm within The Foolsong. We can’t wait to hear the full LP from Holler and his band, who have been around since 2018, with their debut EP, Not Even Close, hitting the airwaves the same year.

The official music video for The Foolsong is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk singer-songwriter Steve Andrews reached the pinnacle of feel-good music with ‘Climb Through a Rainbow’

Posted on 14 November 2022
Climb Through A Rainbow by Steve Andrews

When Steve Andrews, AKA the Bard of Ely, isn’t prising our eyes open to the disasters we create in our destructive-by-design lifestyles, playing Glastonbury or being lauded by the NME and Nicky Wire, he’s spilling soul across the airwaves through singles such as Climb Through a Rainbow.

With Pixies-Esque shimmering reverb and birdsong as the backdrop to his ardently animated acoustic guitar and unlimitedly happy vocals that bring alive the song that was inspired and composed in his friend’s nursery in Cardiff, it is impossible not to get swept up in the euphoric energy of the single.

Climb Through a Rainbow definitively proves you’re never too old to benefit from the simple pleasures of authentically feel-good music, which makes no bones about being on the silly side of wild. Honestly, I’ve got happy tears as I write this review. Nothing has touched my soul this much, ironically, since Nicky Wire’s solo album.

Stream and purchase Climb Through a Rainbow on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Emmett McGrath brought light to the darkened world with his acoustic single, Little Guy

Posted on 16 October 2022

What does it mean to be human in perpetually unprecedented times? You will get a pretty good idea by hitting play on the latest single, Little Guy, by the San Francisco, Bay Area singer-songwriter Emmett McGrath.

The single, inspired by his grandson, captures the necessity and fundamental nature of love as a light in a darkened world. To be honest, I was already tearing up with the single synopsis, when I heard the gentle Cat Stevens-Esque melodicism of the acoustic guitar and his reassuringly gentle vocal timbre, I was emotionally floored.

Emmett McGrath is more than worth his weight in gold in times like these. The pandemic may be behind us, but with the threat of societal precariousness in every news segment, he’s a breath of fresh optimistic air in an atmosphere stifled with anxiety.

Little Guy is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Peter Gural shows us into that sunny afternoon he can’t ever forget on ‘Best I’ve Ever Had’

Posted on 12 July 2022

After turning his life around from the depths of inner darkness that almost broke his mind and soul forever, Peter Gural wishes he could be much closer with his ideal lover on ‘Best I’ve Ever Had‘.

Peter Gural is a nature-loving Philadelphia, USA-born indie singer-songwriter who makes that soft indie pop/rock to warm our icy hearts back to that optimal temperature.

”In my teens and early twenties, I lost myself due to substance abuse. After going to treatment and recovering, I realized that my main goal is to find that kid that I lost a long time ago. From then on my journey has been to help the lost find their way back home through my music.” ~ Peter Gural

With a gliding vocal style that shall take you to that kiss-filled place, Peter Gural has released a single that will have you beaming for joy as you recall a time with someone so special, you wish you could go back to that exact time and place.

”I write guitar based pop music or as I like to call it “Soft Indie” inspired by a combination of classic rock and artists ranging from Elliot Smith to Mac Demarco.” ~ Peter Gural

‘Best I’ve Ever Had‘ from Philadelphia, USA-born indie singer-songwriter Peter Gural shows us that special memory of falling in love that is stuck in his mind forever. With smooth vocals, sweet lyrics and a touching story that so many of us will smile at, this is a reminder that life can be so simple. A loving melody is on offer as you daydream into a song that should be played loud all day long.

Missing that romantic partner can certainly bring you down, unless you choose to smartly remember the good times.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Patricia Hart wants all that sweet lovin’ on her new release scheduled for the 20th of May with, ‘Gimme Some’

Posted on 11 May 2022

Letting us know that she will only be with someone who is completely real and allergic to those foolish games, Patricia Hart shows us her excellent vocal ability on her hot new single about waiting for that special soul on, ‘Gimme Some’.

Patricia Hart is a Gippsland, Victoria-born, Queensland, Australia-based solo artist who fuses Retro Soul, Pop, Disco, and RnB into her wonderful creations.

”Deeply personal, cathartic, and ethereal, Patricia Hart’s music serves as a portal into the most personal depths of her inner core, and a way to help her understand the world and her emotions more clearly.” ~ Patricia Hart

Soothing all worries away with a totally nostalgic experience that has been made with such love and care, Patricia Hart gently takes our hand and leads us into that happy place – that imagines a true romance with no strings attached – in a place that feels incredibly genuine and real. Her honest lyrics take you deeply into her thoughtful mindset, which is ready for something authentically beautiful, far away from the fake swipes that so many are dealing with in this forget-quick world.

‘Gimme Some’ from Queensland, Australia-based multi-genre solo artist Patricia Hart is one of the most captivating singles you will possibly hear in 2022. With a catchy beat that seems to transport you naturally into this loving picture of hope, this is a stunning single that sends your mind into a ray of sunshine, which is ready for something rather incredible.

Pre-save Patricia’s delightful new single via Distrokid in anticipation of 20th May and follow her IG for all the release news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen