Romantically minded as ever, Fly Me To The Moon suits the nuance and tone of Simon’s quietly expressive voice, the song a comforting whisper of confidence and fantasy united, with less of the big-band bravado that first made it recognisable – more of a heartfelt plea under Simon’s guidance.
Folk Pop
An eclectic and high-quality repertoire with tens of thousands of monthly listeners already speaks volumes, but this year New Jersey songwriter and artist Dave Vargo takes things to greater heights still, with the release of his beautifully crafted and performed album of heartfelt nostalgia Ghost Towns.
Catchy country pop jams with an old-school pop-punk vocal lead and brilliantly accessible, snappy and vivid lyricism. Kevin Farge delivers a fine collection of original songs, for the extensive new album Country Love Song.
There’s a healing quality to an arrangement like this, and Peter DiMaggio’s politely expressive voice suits that type of ambiance rather beautifully, furthering the satisfaction and appeal that is the light and rather lovely Chasing a Trace.
From the upcoming debut album Beauty Left Within, singer and songwriter Rudi Burke lays down a colourful balance of folk-pop sentiments and something like pop-punk vocal nuance for that essential twist of character. Red, dead ladybugs presents a full arrangement built around the familiar strum of an acoustic guitar, with the equally distinct fireside fluidity … Continued
Mialuna has crafted a stunning track for this release, even moving into a pure Gospel-choir a-capella breakaway as the final third swings into view, and the lyrics and warmth of the arrangement become all the more euphoric and powerful at this moment.
Returning to the raw essentials of heartfelt songwriting, Maypo Deluxe lets the nuance and realism of his voice and lyricism shine naturally, for the acoustic guitar-led fireside charm and radical acceptance of Living Out Loud.
Raw acoustic realism and stories that are easy to connect with – Jack O’Handley captures the fireside warmth and energy of live acoustic folk and storytelling, with the honest and unfiltered Get in the Van.
These are gorgeously emotive vocals, delicate yet with just a touch of essential weight or grit to the edges to hit with impact, and the arrangement is something like dream-pop and indie rock carefully intertwined.
Four incredible songs, not a bad moment, nor one that’s less than great, in my view.
Softly soulful, classic vocals and an equally classic arrangement of strings, keys and modest rhythms – Davis The Singer lets passion and connection guide, for the growing emotional charm and sublime performance of Colors (reimagined).
Raised in apartheid in South Africa, songs were the lifeblood of liberation for Marisa Handler and her community, and this heritage, this connection to music and the freedom it can bring, is precisely what inspired the anthemic celebration of We Are Rising.