From the EP of the same name, When Dreams End showcases the moving and thoughtful songwriting and performance style of country folk artist Chris St John on a bright yet refreshingly honest high.
Folk
Blissful acoustic delicacy of tone and recording pour through as Denver guitarist and producer Royce DeZorzi introduces his sublime new instrumental album.
Enchanting from the outset, blending delicacy and passion by way of acoustic fingerstyle and soaring electric solo-work.
There’s pain and uncertainty, like in life itself, but ultimately the songwriter promises a level of understanding, of shared commitment to the journey, and with that comes a welcomed degree of solace.
Leading with the stripped-back presentation of that rhythmic guitar, amidst subtle flickers of additional fingerstyle notes, Leah’s voice softly guides listeners through the longing and imagery of the song.
Inspired by Beethoven’s 5th symphony and utilising contrast just as well, The One Who Didn’t repeatedly turns towards juxtaposition between acoustic purity and full-throttle, orchestral and cinematic weight.
Celebrating the intimacy and thoughtfulness of songwriting with purpose, the simple joy and melancholy united that emerge during contemplation, when playing music in a relaxed, fearless state, with someone you know well.
While there’s eclecticism to the overall lyrical presence, lines like ‘It’s time to flee’ bring home the poignancy and pain of the war, along with ‘rage fuels blame, desensitized, lives in flames’.
The crisp sound hits with impact, feeling hopeful in its tuneful embrace but essentially dealing with heartbreak and the need to overcome or escape a relationship that’s going nowhere.
Folk-pop rhythm and brightness lights up the room from the outset, before julianne’s softly expressive storytelling and calming melody weave a hopeful and inspiring web of escapism around listeners.
Daniel Versman showcases a natural devotion to the art form with this release – a song written because it needed to be; ideas and feelings that couldn’t be contained.
The softly revealing nature of the story telling, the uplifting honesty and brightness – Kyle Jaymes always rather meticulously walks the line between the familiar and the unknown.