Devin Kennedy’s return this month brings a beautifully heartfelt and colourful collection of original songs, the sort that rightfully showcase his intentions and abilities as an artist, as well as deliver the perfect fusion of ambient pop vibes to keep things warm as the winter months settle in.
Folk Pop
“Concision is good. Direct is good. But it’s easy to see how this environment can create a sort of fast-food attitude towards songwriting in a pop industry already fully of empty calories.”
Bringing together delicacy of concept and tone, Don’t Leave Me rises up from acoustic purity to full-band warmth throughout its captivating and uplifting four-minute journey – impressing all the more so with each new moment that passes.
Another absolute beast of a single, from the UK’s own King Casual – Get Up / Get Down really is as uplifting and energizing as the title implies.
The creative’s own demons are faced within this writing, and the result is something that prompts the listener to do the same – to overcome feelings of inadequacy, to believe in their own strength and skill, and to Rise Up.
All-in-all, The Rocky Coast of Maine is a stand-alone triumph, fulfilling its own mythology in its own run time. It’s beautifully played, beautifully told and is a haunting testament to folk music songwriting. Lovely.
As emotional songs go, this one digs right into the heart – dog lovers be warned. The tears may flood, but the song also reminds you to appreciate those still with you. An absolute recommend.
A massive shout-out must go to the entire vocal arrangement: there are some serpentine, elusive lines weaving in and out and around a rich, beautifully-mixed choir of voices that you’ll be immediately wowed by.
A sunshine confection that makes you want to select an appropriate Hawaiian shirt, hire a convertible and cruise along, top down, with this on repeat. Your insides will smile.
The way the acoustic guitar leads into the beat, bringing through flickers of folk, country and hip hop alike, makes it east to get into the vibe of the track; and to appreciate the creative way in which WAYAL has approached and crafted this release.
As songs with universal messages go, here’s one that exists as a timeless and contemporary production at the same time. Essentially a piano and vocal piece with a few bells and whistles of production glitter, it’s surely designed as affirmation of the highest order. When the chorus arrives with the ‘yeah, you’re different’ lyric, it’s … Continued
Gorgeously cinematic guitar tones meet with folk-like story-telling and stunning harmonies on this latest EP from Night Market.