Browsing Tag

COUNTRY-FOLK

Adopt the lyrical liberation in Dan Littlefield’s bluegrass to the bone single, Set You Free.

Posted on 4 May 2022

With his trusty Dobro resonator, narratively unshackling lyrics, bluegrass to the bone vocals and folky strings cutting across the accordance, Dan Littlefield’s latest single, Set You Free, will do exactly that for the 4-minute duration and far beyond if you decide to adopt the lyrical liberation.

In any other set of hands, Littlefield’s axe of choice would be in danger of resonating (pun slightly intended) as archaic; with the signature funky twang in his signature style, there was little chance of Set You Free falling into pedestrianism.

We may be living in a post-truth world in 2022, but Littlefield knows how to all too effacaciously entwine the nostalgia for simplicity with neo-blues alchemy for ultimate aural pleasure.

Set You Free is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Casey Freedom is right on time in his country folk single, On My Own Time

Posted on 25 March 2022

The country singer-songwriter Casey Freedom soothingly proved that pace is the trick with his latest single, On My Own Time, which kicks back the tempo and allows you to lull yourself into the breezy Americana cool and collected atmosphere.

After graduating as a music student from the University of Oregon, Casey returned to his hometown to replant his roots enamour crowds at open mic shows. Over lockdown, he started writing his own material, which is becoming increasingly defined by the evocative themes, narrative lyricism and glistening country charm.

His songwriting style already carries decades of maturity and nuance, even after such an inexplicably short span of time; this may seem hyperbolic, but the proof lies in the slice of Americana. Take a bite.

On My Own Time is now available to stream via Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Buddy Greenbloom revives the Western ballad in ‘I Remember Those Times’

Posted on 25 March 2022

(Better Off) I Remember Those Times is the latest single from the nostalgically inclined singer-songwriter Buddy Greenbloom. His vocal timbre resounds with the same magnetic pull as the likes of Dylan and Cohen, but there’s plenty of extra twang from the notorious singing cowboy who made a name for himself in 2003 with his alt country covers of infamous punk rock tracks.

With reminiscing on how it felt to smoke in bars, drink in cars and be carefree in hedonism, it is so easy to find yourself at the centre of this western Americana trip into the past before mediocrity and polarised arguments surrounded us.

With his debut studio LP currently in the works, the Houston-born, LA-based artist is definitively worth a spot on your radar.

I Remember Those Times is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

cowboy cody arms kept his tribute to Smoky Martin anachronistically classic in “Waltz of the Bride”

Posted on 3 March 2022
https://soundcloud.com/user-967304589/waltz-of-the-bride-smoky-martin-cover

The Canadian country singer-songwriter, cowboy cody arms, paid tribute to Smoky Martin’s timelessly haunting style in his recently released single, Waltz of the Bride.

The crops of country music may have been sullied by the likes of the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons. But the Southern Ontario, Canada-hailing artist keeps it anachronistically classic in the stripped-back production that features yodelled and evocatively mournful vibrato country vocals atop of the rugged twang of the acoustic guitar.

It may not be everyone in the 21st century’s cup of tea, but there’s definitely a time and a quintessential place for such roots-deep talent. Not all artists make a positive contribution to the world with their music, but cowboy cody arms discernibly does. Never let it be said again that artists don’t make hits like they used to.

Waltz of the Bride is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Country hooks up with 70s cosmic pop in Marcus Liuzzi’s latest single, 2 Night Stand

Posted on 4 February 2022

Country meets 70s cosmic pop in the Massachusetts-hailing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Liuzzi’s latest single, 2 Night Stand.

The deeply candid and narrative track spins the whiskey-soaked tale of a hook-up that left the hook firmly embedded itself far beyond the hungover sunrise. If there is any definitive proof that the loss of the object of our lust is as crushing as the loss of love, it is this humbly honest track. It wears its heart on the shimmering guitar progressions, Americana-influenced basslines, psychedelically warm keys, and the occasional orchestral sing motif.

There are hints of R.E.M. in the vocals that rest atop the country twang and influence from ELO, Bowie and the Beatles. Only an insanely talented artist could pull that off in such an endearing fashion. It is safe to say that we are pretty hooked.

You can get down with a 2 Night Stand for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ludwik Konopko has released the ultimate bohemian alt-country playlist staple with his latest single, Chickee Chick

Posted on 23 January 2022

Ludwik Konopko’s latest single, Chickee Chick, is the ultimate playlist staple for any alt-country fans that aren’t looking to get the blues. The jazzy and progressive single has warm tones by the smorgasbord between the walking basslines, shimmering acoustic guitar chords and arresting infusion of slide guitars.

Even when the vocals kick in, they are sitting low enough in the mix to bring a touch of the human element but not detract away from the organic alchemy that is blossoming from Ludwik Konopko’s Avant-Garde flair.

The Lviv-born guitarist, composer, and arranger has been performing publicly since the age of 19. Just some of the notable ensembles that he’s been involved with include the Lviv National Philharmonic, Tea Fan Club, popular travelling bands and flamenco fusion groups. Notably, he poured every ounce of his creative life experience into the composition of Chikee Chick. It drips with bohemian cool and doesn’t fail to enamour along the way.

Chickee Chick is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gabrielle Gore served an infectiously euphoric slice of Americana with her single, ‘My Mustang’.

Posted on 14 June 2021

Eighteen-year-old Oklahoma-hailing country singer-songwriter Gabrielle Gore already has 14-years of performative experience behind her, when it came to writing her latest single, My Mustang, she was primed to serve an infectiously euphoric slice of Americana.

With bluegrass folk meeting crawling rockabilly rhythms, and a few pop elements thrown in for good measure, My Mustang crosses genres while staying true to each style borrowed from. The distinction doesn’t end with the instrumentals either; the rich and resonant vocal projection brings a vibrant energy to the up-tempo track that will transport you to the heart of Nashville before the chorus hits.

My Mustang is now available to stream via SoundCloud. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

D Boone Pittman paints a panoramic picture of romantic disparity in ‘She Likes the Beach’

Posted on 27 May 2021

‘She Likes the Beach’ is just one of the instantly immersive bluegrass singles taken from country-folk singer-songwriter D Boone Pittman’s debut album, Emerge.

The 10-track straight from the soul album pays a fitting ode to the storytelling roots of folk. As the acoustic bluegrass chords lay out the welcome mat, Pittman paints a panoramic picture of romantic disparity with his endlessly magnetic vocals as he expresses his frustration at being with someone that you can’t quite see eye to eye with but you end up in a situationship regardless.

You can check out D Boone Pittman on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Salmon Run have released their chorally accordant country folk single, ‘She’s Alright’

Posted on 7 April 2021

With their latest single, ‘She’s Alright’, Appleton, WI-residing duo Salmon Run played with roots of country-folk while giving the production a chorally enticing contemporary feel.

The lyrics are sentimental and heartfelt enough for you to become personally enamoured with the object of affection which the accordant single gently introduces, reminding you well and truly that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that, for the most part, thankfully, it lies in idiosyncrasies.

It’s a stunning single to hand over your emotions and rhythmic pulses to. Any fans of contemporary folk acts such as Bonny Light Horseman will appreciate this quiescent journey of romantic adoration.

The official video to She’s Alright is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The journey of love: Los Angeles, California based singer-songwriter Joe Romersa guides us all on ‘Where We Go From Here’

Posted on 2 December 2020

The legendary LA drummer, singer- songwriter, producer, voice actor and composer extraordinaire Joe Romersa is back with a modern story of the hearts fulfillment, on his latest single called ‘Where We Go From Here’.

This is a man whose work was featured in the 1992 Grammy award-winning ‘The Missing Years‘ album by the late great country-folk singer-songwriter John Prine, and his career has been one that exemplifies the rugged journey of a true musician that never gave up. There have been lots of ups and a few downs, good gigs and bad gigs but he is a person who has never given up. His passion for his art form and learning new skills is obvious.

There is so much to appreciate about this terrific track and the start tells us everything we need to know straight away like a bullet pass for a touchdown. The years of experience and care to play the guitar at a level that most of us only dream of is tremendous. There is a touch of blues, country and rock here and you feel all giddy waiting for his vocals to illuminate through into your headphones.

His gritty voice that is full of incredible stories of life and travel is opened up to us like a creaking door. This is the story of being with that special person in your life as you reminisce about being so happy- they fall asleep in your arms- and you can’t believe this is real. You feel like you two can do anything you want together and nothing has ever felt so right before. After a long search, they found you and you click like a light switch and everything is shining bright with your world again.

Love is on his mind and why not. This is that kind of feeling that you didn’t know really existed for you but has come into your life to make your smile beam wide as can be. ‘Where We Go From Here’ by the renowned and respected Joe Romersa is a guiding light of hope, in an often dark and morbid world. Knowing where to go next is the journey now but it is a question he can share with his partner, and that is all that matters.

Hear this hand-crafted gem via Joe’s Spotify and see where he goes next on FB & IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen