Browsing Tag

The Lumineers

Yunger – Let There Be Hope: A Compassionately Impassioned Folk Playlist Staple

Posted on 1 December 2022

Folk singer-songwriter Yunger refused to let all hope be lost in his achingly impassioned single, Let There Be Hope. The single surpassed the gravitas and sincerity in folk hits from Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers as he went all-in with compassion as he acknowledged the darkness that we can all succumb to when it feels like the silver linings are always out of sight.

After laying out unconditional understanding, he offers an olive branch out of entropy which has become increasingly more prevalent in the wake of tragedies that seem to be dragging innocent lives back to the dark ages. If more souls were as pure as Yunger’s and we all had his eloquently poetic way with words, our existence would be so much brighter. Notably, he’s Australia’s answer to Frank Turner.

If you love Let There Be Hope, be sure to check out his latest album, Of Hope and Dreams, which was released on vinyl on October 1st.

The official music video for Let There Be Hope is available on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Masorti presents: “Father’s Eyes”, a new studio release

Posted on 8 November 2022

Masorti is a creative and talented musician with a focus on exploring a wide variety of influences, while still ensuring that his music is incredibly punchy and creative, appealing to listeners of all backgrounds while portraying the artist’s personality and Americana-folk vibe.

Masorti’s most recent studio work is titled “Father’s Eyes”, and it is yet another step forward for him. This one shows a lot of potential, as the production is just as good as the performance of the artist, which brings so much vitality and passion to the mix. The release is a crossroads of different vibes and influences, yet as if by magic, it all really acquires a stunning and original tone, which adds to the scope of this release.

Find out more about Masorti, and check out “Father’s Eyes”, his flavorful new release.

Chris Short leaves us ‘Consumed’ with their latest indie-folk-pop single

Posted on 31 March 2021

‘Matured’ isn’t an adjective easily affixed to up and coming pop artists, but singer-songwriter Chris Short isn’t your average indie-folk peddler. His latest single, ‘Consumed’, left us exactly that.

With a style that carries reminiscence to The Paper Kites and The Lumineers but leaves enough room for their resounding signature sound that incorporates chamber pop and tribal rhythm, you’ll be hooked from the intro. It may be transfixing from the first hit, but the true beauty of this single is its ability to offer new poignant consolation for the grief that we all have to suffer as part of our human experiences with each hit. If you’ve been struggling to see the light recently, you’ll find plenty within the cathartically bright tones of this almost celestial track.

Consumed is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Adam Wendler shows us what the pinnacle of modern folk-pop is with ‘Thin Ice’

Posted on 1 March 2021

Modern folk-pop artist Adam Wendler made their debut in 2017 with their album ‘Never Go Unknown’. With the acclaim which followed, they ensured that they never would.

Their first 2021 release, ‘Thin Ice’, is their finest work to date and the perfect introduction to their timelessly evocative approach to songwriting. The melodiously vibrant anthem could easily keep a mainstage festival crowd arrested and animated.

Tenderness, vulnerability and gratified sincerity project through resounding vocals as they run through the lyrics which give a taste of how sweet it is to fall in love with someone who leaves you mesmerised.

The artist brought plenty of gravitas to the conversation around inferiority. Ultimately, the upbeat folk-laden feat of pop proves that adoration doesn’t need to turn into a passive-aggressive inferiority complex.

The Zoom-born single was created in November in collaboration with Tors; a UK-based, X Ambassadors Management-signed powerhouse who complimented his catchy lyrics. With Dessner-style walls of sonic guitar to bring the track to the close, Thin Ice leaves you keen to grab another ticket for one of Adam Wendler’s emotional rollercoasters. Rest assured, there will be plenty more to come from the Berlin-based Canadian artist in 2021 and beyond.

Since arriving in Berlin, Adam Wendler has shared stages with Post Animal, the Arkells, Ryan Sheridan and Matt Mays and seen his singles rank in the singer-songwriter iTunes charts. Something tells us he’s not quite finished on his ascent to the top.

Thin Ice is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sable_Neon captures the 2020 mood with their Alt Indie Future Pop single “Behind Bars”

Posted on 18 November 2020

Electronic artist and producer Sable_Neon has released their latest euphoria-laced single “Behind Bars”, which captures the global mood in 2020 by alluding to the scarcity of safety and security through lyrics which resound over expansive Trancey beats.

Any fans of James Bay, Gotye, The Lumineers, Avicii and Hozier will definitely want to delve into the compelling release which was orchestrated to soothe the soul while simultaneously charging you with adrenaline through entrancing Future Pop beats.

Sable_Neon may share similarities with the aforementioned artists, but there’s a magnetic sense of pioneering authority on offer in Behind Bars. Considering that each of Sable_Neon’s releases is created by transforming thought into emotion and then feeding it into music that’s produced to heal, that comes as no surprise.

Behind Bars is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dom Malin – Eye of the Storm: Sweetly Tempestuous Modern Indie Folk

Posted on 6 November 2020

As soon as you hit play on West Midlands-based singer-songwriter Dom Malin’s third self-produced Indie Folk single, you’ll see why it is titled “Eye of the Storm”.

The parable between heartbreak and elemental chaos is intensely palpable. You’ll find yourself swept up in the evocatively raw, melodically crafted radio-ready production and ardently in awe of Malin’s intimate connectable vulnerability.

It’s so much more than the deliverance of piteous self-indulgent woe. Eye of the Storm deals with the unendurable emotions which come to fruition when you realise that there’s no chance of keeping a fire in a relationship breathing as the last ember has already faded. Malin notes the inconsolability which accompanies heartbreak, but with Eye of the Storm, he offers a temporary aural escape by delivering emotion which may just displace your own romantic lament.

Your soul would have to be fairly dilapidated not to register the painful emotion which has been projected into the soundscape which will go down a storm (excuse the pun) with any fans of John Mayer, The Lumineers, Damien Rice and Ben Howard.

Even though there are some stylistic nods to the likes of Paul Simon, Malin’s sound is anything but archaic. Malin achieves a sonically massive sound which would have no trouble filling a stadium, all the while delivering one of the most tenderly poetic singles which you’ll hear this year.

Ahead of the official release, Eye of the Storm has already been chosen as track of the week by BBC introducing Lincolnshire. It would be no surprise if it featured on plenty of other Radio A-lists throughout Autumn 2020 and beyond.

Eye of the Storm was released on Friday, November 6th, 2020. You can check it out via Spotify.

Stay up to date with new releases from Dom Malin by following him on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NewtonSmith – Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire: Soulfully Nostalgic Alt Folk

Posted on 9 October 2020

The accordant romanticism almost catches in your throat as you listen to the soulfully melodic instrumentals mellifluously collide in NewtonSmith’s latest single Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire which dropped on September 4th.

There may be reminiscences to Bob Dylan and similar roots-deep Alt Americana Folk artists, but the UK-based Folk duo masterfully brought that nostalgically resolving sound into the 21st century. Any fans of Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers will undoubtedly find the magnetism in Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire. The catchy lyrics and even more infectious melodies make hitting play on this track an unforgettable experience.

If you like keeping track of hot up and coming artists, you’ll want this duo on your radar, right about now.

You can check out NewtonSmith’s latest single by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Posted on 21 June 2020

“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

The Melissa June Band has dropped Your Name

Posted on 28 April 2020

The Melissa June Band has dropped their latest single ‘Your Name’ combining their country sound into this uplifting and intriguing piece.

Starting off with the calming sound of the violin that illuminates the background and adding in the fast pace strum on the acoustic guitar as the vocals begin to seep through. The vocal ranges are incredible and the high notes are hit perfectly, nothing is out of the tune and it all combines together in such an impressive way.

Tending to reach more for the high-pitched vocal throughout, having that melodic sound to it with the soft texture that is added, flowing in and out of the classic country instrumentation to create this enjoyable and interesting to listen to piece.

Listen to The Melissa June Band’s Your Name by heading on over to Spotify now.

Review by Karley Myall

A&R Factory Present: Damien McFly

Posted on 30 May 2016

A multi instrumentalist, a sound engineer and a powerful voice all wrapped up in one, Damien McFly effortlessly blends the acoustic elements of folk with a rock inspired flair for songwriting.

Damien McFly is the stage name for Damiano Ferrari, a driven, passionate and charismatic singer from Padova, Italy. Dedicated to live performance, he has played over 300 gigs throughout Europe in two years and in the summer of 2014 he crossed the Atlantic to play gigs in Chicago, Indianapolis and Nashville.

He has toured France, Belgium, Holland and Germany as well as gracing the Hard Rock Rocks festival Acoustic Stage in Edinburgh and the Wigwam stage at Carfest.

A powerful collection of heartfelt songs, Damien’s debut album Parallel Mirrors (Oct 2015) channels the best of Mumford & Sons andThe Lumineerssound, both bands having been a huge influence on him as he developed as a songwriter. Each instrument on the release has been recorded unplugged, utiliing the natural ambience and reverb of specific recording locations to pick up the warmth of live performance on microphone.

New Start, Damien’s first single has been picked by MTV New Generation Italy as song of the week in December 2015.

The song I Can’t Reply is one of the winner songs of the ISC (international Songwriting Competition) 2016 and received many national airplays in the UK (BBC Scotland, Amazing Radio) and in Belgium (Classic 21).

During the summer of 2016 he will perform at YouBloom festival in Dublin, Home Festival (Biggest italian festival) in Treviso (Italy) and several shows in Italy, Belgium and Holland.