Captivating in the way that Brand New once were, these long-form lyrical trails follow precise but alternative melodies, slowly revealing the details of these heartfelt reflections and struggles – a variation from the more common writing style of ‘this and then that’.
Acoustic
Simply impressive guitar playing lights up the romantic and colourful musicality of Alfredo Robles music.
After a string of heavy metal releases, 3mind Blight returns to his acoustic alternative roots, with the piano-led and evocative Be The One.
There’s a refreshingly raw authenticity to the recording of these songs. Amidst the overwhelming and often disappointing rise of AI production and writing, there’s something all the more piercingly genuine about a simple, unedited recording of a human – their natural voice, and their solo instrument – telling stories, being real, connecting for the timeless and universal appeal of song.
Acoustic warmth and the live crackle of authentic, unplugged musicianship is always refreshing amidst the modern rise of AI and electronic overproduction. Enter Taji Morod, with the vintage wonder of an acoustically rising and falling folk sound.
A joyful anthem on the one hand, from a distance – an altogether-now ode to the beauty of musical unity. But on the other, a unique take on missing someone, on the feeling of having cared for someone who could ‘read the stars’, but was never able to ‘see the starlight in me’.
Artistically rooted musical expression, built around the desire to explore feelings and ideas, and as such led by a powerful sense of freedom and conceptual purpose that boldly connects. PHI-108 is a fascinating and admittedly niche musical project, but one that aptly creates a profound space to escape into as it slowly fills the room.
Heavily inspired by the Johnny Cash album American IV: The Man Comes Around, as well as by Johnny’s autobiography Cash, Traveling is a short and sweet declaration of pure inner peace and satisfaction.
An easy three chord strum, a vocal depth that’s distinct and calming, with short lines that follow a simple and memorable thread of melody – Check is an ode to the sheer pleasure of making music for a living.
“I feel as though it represents a calming energy that lies within myself. A way to display that something doesn’t always need to be said for it to be expressed.”
Coming in at a fairly standard three-thirteen, the make-up and concept of Life’s Sweet Caress is decidedly familiar, but the vocal stylings, the meandering and often unpredictable melody, leans somewhat towards the freedom and piercing artistry of acts like Asaf Avidan.
In an industry loaded with flashy images and intentions, with showboating and volume and the constant pressures dictating that we all aspire to own Lamborghinis – above purely being better individuals – artists who truly adore the wonders of the real world, and who make music and create things purely out of a love for doing so, are increasingly the ones worth listening to.