Building from a purely acoustic and nearly whispered introduction, Monsters employs Frida Mann’s unmistakable vocals, and slowly but surely evolves through a story of anger, resentment, confinement. The voice is captivating, and later near-euphoric in its outcry, and as such, this conceptual journey is incredibly passionate, in both vocal and instrumental delivery.
Acoustic
The aptly-titled EP RAW is completely unique, evocative and often spellbinding, and what’s more, Hila’s answers to these questions, and her perspective as a rising artist, portray an incredibly refreshing sense of identity and purpose in modern music.
Lush organic piano, strings and guitars light up an indie pop warmth that’s heartfelt, timeless, and naturally uplifting. UK songwriter and acoustic musician Euplasia kicks off an extensive 12-month release schedule for his new album, and ‘You Wonder’ is an inspiring introduction to the project.
Simple but striking, nostalgic country folk with lush vocals and short lines rising through the joys of romance and wonder. Joshua Jamison ignites the modern country flame, with this raspy and catchy acoustic gem.
Slowly increasing the ambient details, the melodic resolve of Swan is easy-going but effective, ‘the swan is down’ feeling almost unfinished every time it appears, and adding a kind of alternative, perhaps Damien Rice-like melodic uncertainty and ache to the music.
Gentle lo-fi synth notes and the quiet strum of an acoustic guitar, an intimate vocal and writing style that feels diary-like in its tentative expression and longing. Chris Pannella delivers the closing song from his EP The Four Seasons of Her, and its a sleepy to euphoric and heartbroken story of love lost and fading passion.
From the Riverside EP of gorgeous instrumental originals, Serbian guitarist and musician Zarko delivers a crisp and captivating acoustic composition, for the wonderfully impressive and moving Vilino Vrelo.
More great music from Germany this season, the softness of nineties indie pop, acoustic and comforting, with genuine sentimental value at its core. The Last Lupine offer an evocative sense of escapism and story, with the stunning simplicity and wonder of Stay, Return.
“The main values I want to represent in the indie folk music world are authenticity, integrity, and kindness.”
If you’ve lost someone, a partner in particular, this one will hurt, but is almost certainly still worth the listen. The raw humanity and heart of I Still Say We is cordially genuine.
Vituia writes songs unfiltered and unafraid to really go there – the style is genuine, the stories devotedly unbothered by expectation or opinion, and the voice, in both writing and tone, is quickly unmistakable. The realism resounds, and Vituia’s creative escapism as such provides something defiantly pure.
Organic loops of instrumentation and voice, poetic and personal ideas resounding and lingering – an ambient but largely acoustic presentation, of songs that feel both revealing and mysterious in their vague bursts of both joy and sadness. German songwriter and artist Rico Friebe releases a brand new double album, in the form of the mighty The Desire Path / The Open Glade.