Browsing Tag

Acoustic Folk Pop

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

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

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

Paul M Cox soothes through sepia tones in his acoustic single, Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold is the first single from the UK singer-songwriter Paul M Cox’s hotly-anticipated 2022 album, Sunset Over Stillwater. It acoustically pulls together Bowie-Esque production, Waits-y lyricism and the vocal gravitas of Cohen. To melodiously entrancing effect.

The sepia-tinged acoustic serenade which bleeds nuances of blues and jazz in the instrumentals is a masterfully produced work that needed little more than Paul M Cox’s stellar songwriting capacities to draw you into the detailed narrative tapestry that is rich with poetic imagery.

The official lyric video premiered on October 7th. Check it out on YouTube and find out more on Paul M Cox’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Olivia Gubel takes us to ‘The Prom’ with her latest acoustic folk-pop ballad.

One of LA’s most promising stars, singer-songwriter Olivia Gubel, has bestowed upon the airwaves an acoustic folk-pop ballad that is uplifting enough to register as celestial.

‘The Prom’ captures the innocence of youth; if you’re currently living it, you will feel the resonance; if those days are long behind you, you’ll get a potently sweet shot of nostalgia while listening to this reflectively sweet single unfold.

At 18-years-old, Olivia already has the musicianship within her to create true connections with fans old and new. Her powerfully poetic lexicon, endlessly magnetic vocals and instantly accessible soundscapes make her a folk-pop triple threat.

The Prom is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sahana Naresh explores the dualistic emotions inspired by motherhood in her soulful indie folk-pop single, ‘Milky Hands’.

Indie singer-songwriter Sahana Naresh has released her ukulele-led folk-pop exploration of the duality of motherhood, ‘Milky Hands’. Sonically, it is worlds apart from Amanda Palmer’s candid album, ‘There Will Be No Intermission’, but it still carries the same scantily found honest expression around parenting.

Milky Hands is a coalescence of Sahana’s love of soulful indie and classic Hindustani vocals, which means you get the bitter-sweet tenderness of a Neutral Milk Hotel single, along with the rich vocal melodies that stretch outside of Western boundaries.

If you’re a fan of rich accordant tones accompanying raw emotion, don’t hesitate hitting play.

Check out Sahana Naresh on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk noir soulstress Echo Wants Her Voice Back has released her most evocative single to date, ‘Wife’

‘Wife’ is the latest poetically Avant-Garde single from Cypriot-born, London-based singer-songwriter and actress Echo Wants Her Voice Back. Starting with a minimalist, spiritual intro that any fans of the Cranberries will appreciate, Wife is captivating from the start. The conversationally imploring vocals lead you right into the heart of the track, and that is a trip you’re going to want to take over and over again.

With a touch of Gwen Stefani-Esque attitude to the folk-pop lyrics in the chorus, the seamlessly progressive single is proof of the alchemy that can breathe through a release created without constraint. The baroque pop outro that carries reminiscence to Emilie Autumn’s archaic sound is a haunting way that ensures Wife will stay with you long after the outro

With her second EP in the works, Echo Wants Her Voice back is well worth room on your radar.

Wife released on May 21st; you can hear it for yourselves via SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Madeleine Bradford has released her celestially striking single, Resting Bones.

Resting Bones is the celestially transfixing latest single from US singer-songwriter Madeleine Bradford. At the age of 17-years-old, her music already boasts narratively-meta lyrics, arresting vocal harmonies and a spiritual edge that compels you to lean even deeper into the single to abstract the emotion and introspection. Even the silence that follows the outro is resounding.

If anyone has what it takes to become the next Phoebe Bridgers while establishing themselves with a distinctive style, it is Madeleine Bradford. The mellifluous guitars in Resting Bones possess the same level of alchemy that you will find in Elliot Smith’s most intricate releases as faint orchestral swells add striking crescendos to the deeply provoking single.

Resting Bones is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mari – Natural Desires: Evocatively Absolving Acoustic Pop Rock

Natural Desires was the 2019 debut single from up and coming Pop singer-songwriter Mari. If the release slipped you by, there’s no better time to delve into her evocatively powerful sound. With an EP in the works, there are plenty more powerful soundscapes to come.

Following the success of Natural Desires, Mari released two subsequent singles Wrong Places and End Up with You. Yet, Natural Desires remains the best introduction to her frill-free, soulfully arrestive sound which manages to ooze both purity and maturity.

Rather than attempting to stay ahead of the curve, with Natural Desires, Mari took her sound right back to the roots of Pop Rock to ensure instant accessibility. As for the commercial potential, that can be found in her natural vocal harmonies which will stay with you long after the light and tender single has faded to a close.

If you like to have your finger on the pulse of hot up and coming talent, get her on your radar.

Natural Desires is available to stream via all major platforms through this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kate Gala brings out stunning indie-pop dazzler ”Almost Made It”

USA’s Kate Gala is a young singer-songwriter who was born and raised in the Virginia Beach area. Since she was a bright-eyed youngster, Kate expressed a massive interest in music and even taught herself how to play the guitar. Quite an achievement indeed.

Kate is a fun person with ambition and begun writing songs in high school as an outlet to cope with her life struggles. She hopes to use her growing platform to promote a healthy lifestyle for the mind and body, while encouraging people to explore more through her travel posts. This is one inspiring woman that is really going for it and who likes to bring out positive energy.

Almost Made It” says it all really. Kate Gala can feel that she is rising in the music scene and wants to make it huge. She has a lovely voice and this is pure indie-folk with some pop sprinkled in for good measure. One of the sweetest songs you will hear this year.

Stream this lovely song right here on Spotify.

Check this new track out here on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Prepare Your Indie Folk Playlists for Harry Bodley-Scott’s Latest Single “Man Like Me”

Man Like Me” was the first single to be released from Indie Folk singer-songwriter Harry Bodley-Scott’s debut EP “Hoping for a Sunrise”. If festivals were happening this year, Man Like Me is exactly the kind of track you’d hope to be soaking up under the Summer sun.

Fans of Noah and the Whale, Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver and the Lumineers will definitely want to hit play on the stunningly crafted single. Similarities aside, Harry Bodley-Scott’s standout single boasts a striking amount of amorous distinction.

Through the candidly poetic lyrics and the intricately layered Indie Folk instrumental arrangement which is led by angularly absorbing riffs, it’s safe to say a radio-ready earworm was created with Man Like Me.

You can check out Man Like Me with the rest of Harry Bodley-Scott’s EP Hoping for a Sunrise via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast