Born and raised in Queensland, Australia, Simon Orton has been hard at work on new releases since 2025, and his storytelling and guitar playing meet with a recognisable, enjoyably imperfect vocal integrity – qualities that shine with modesty and warmth throughout the lovely new single A Little Light.
Acoustic
Promising a crisp acoustic guitar groove, live drums, and female vocals gorgeously harmonised, I Want The World achieves a style and tone somewhere between the likes of Jewel and Morcheeba – a breathy poetic lead, a hypnotic acoustic groove, and a level of conviction and relevance that’s subtly woven into an uplifting, colourful, creative embrace.
Lyrics are powerful, like poetry they hold the potential to completely revitalise or redirect your perspective and understanding. When this happens, you don’t need much more than a genuine delivery and a satisfying, evocative melody, to elevate the wonder of the words. I’ve heard The Low Stakes Band several times before, but there’s something deeply … Continued
Building up for a brighter and harmonised pre-chorus, the song highlights the quiet vocal nuance of Silje Steine, as we join the artist for this reflective sense of wondering about loneliness and isolation; desperately dreaming and desiring something more.
Great musical arrangements set the bar well, then we need a little depth of topic, an interesting voice, and a melody that engages and even satisfies. Borovsky puts the building blocks in place for all of this, with the unique writing, long-form expressions, ideas and personality, of A Leap In The Dark.
Stunning – simple and honest music, the kind of recording that captures your attention softly and with humility, and the kind of songwriting that feels not designed to draw focus to the performer, but towards a feeling or moment, a series of thoughts; an ambience and mood.
Organic and honest songwriting, live recordings to match – a singer-songwriter authenticity that’s needed in these times. Gregor Vagner brings the melody and music to move you, with the hopeful tune, acoustic groove, and outer-layered meandering electric guitar, of Rosemary.
You have to hear it to know how it feels – words can’t really convey. This song has the alt-folk beauty and pop warmth of some of history’s classic, unpredictable hits. Something like Ben Howard’s Keep Your Head Up, an alt-folk legend lifting the mood; this time somehow both catchy and not. Calling For Change is soulful, to repeat that truth again. It’s yearning, mellow then emotionally desperate in its outcry, and the set-up furthers this, with modest guitar solo moments and a huge crescendo at the end.
Live acoustic Christian music blends organic Cajon and keys for a catchy, upbeat and honest ode to Faith. E.Art.h are a unique and genuine musical duo, whose single Blessed Be The Man is both memorable and refreshingly real.
Indie rock guitarist and songwriter Jake Vera brings uniquely moving vocals and sentiments to the scene, with the intimate to explosive, all-consuming new album Lost.
Everything is subtle but effective – the production and vocal shifts, the central contrast from one section to the next. It’s modesty and artistry intertwined, and it speaks volumes on behalf of the intentions and values of Aaron Lerer and 1526 Records.
Inspired by his love for the children of his close friends, Follow You highlights the heartfelt nice-guy style of J.C. Maru as a songwriter and performer. The natural acoustic ambiance is inviting, softly paired vocals bringing a kind of warmth and depth that’s immersive, and the melodies and lyrics remind us of the beauty and wonder of connection and learning.