Yorkshire’s Kier takes country pop to reflective new heights, with the uplifting groove, passionate vocals, catchy hook, and deeply poignant contemplations of 20 Something.
Folk Pop
Conceptually exploring a love story from Ambleside Beach in Vancouver, Ambleside moves into the song Concussion for something a little more evocative and gentle – a drawn-out arrangement, less rhythmically bouncy but perfectly placed for impact in its caring declarations and the higher nuance of David Jane’s versatile yet distinct and genuine voice.
With imagery based around memories of flying kites at night, Heartstrings reflects on finding the right balance in a relationship, noting how, like a kite on a string, it can only soar when given enough slack to climb.
Here Pearl’s clear influence from the likes of Kate Bush emerges, but the EP in full is impressively eclectic, and as mentioned, it holds true to a genuine sense of creativity that is from the heart and unafraid to be authentic.
Songwriting first, an acoustic introduction and gentle to impassioned vocals – honest reflections and smart, catchy rhymes. Rafael Montecruz and Abraham Armell capture the beauty of intentional pop music, with the ballad verse and funk-kissed chorus of Under the Cherry Tree.
Romantic Italian pop with honest vocals and an equal authenticity in what inspired the songwriting. Paolo Mezzini dedicates the sensational Dentro di te to his wife, and delivers a soulfully powerful performance throughout.
Letting go of things that no longer serve you – from relationships to ambition, work, self-identity. Creative alt-pop songwriter Lily Franc delivers on both depth and design, with the subtle charm, genre diversity and lyrical brilliance of The Fitting Room.
New Zealand artist and producer Mykle Williams has amassed thousands of monthly listeners this year, and alongside a growing dance-pop core, euphoric folk-pop anthems like In The Silence of My Mind showcase the true warmth and thoughtful appeal of his style.
Lush acoustic country and folk vibes back up a gorgeously honest performance from the already impressive and engaging Blair Dunlop.
North Indian music meets a dreamy acoustic pop sound and melody, to introduce the uniquely calming creative corner of Suchetana Sinha’s music.
Dolce Wang quite cleverly intertwines melancholy and optimism throughout this album, a subtle sadness countered by a subtle level of excitement from one song to the next. This represents both the limitless and uncertain qualities of traveling really well, in my view.
Australian artists Georgia Scarlett and Joel Spence each bring delightfully unique voices to the scene, for the collaborative dynamic of Honey Let’s Go.