Fresh from the sun-soaked streets of Europe, an acoustic sound and style that tips its hat to the buskers and live raw energy of impromptu festivals – Renny Jackson’s River Roots is a pleasure to turn up loud right about now.
Folk
Beautifully crafted, gorgeously and passionately performed, offering precisely the sense of possibility and self-belief this new year needs.
Gorgeously resolving after each fiercely emotional build-up, with this sentiment that reaches across the individual story & into the lives of the audience – ‘some have it all, take your time we’re not here for long’.
Channelling the calmness & depth of folk, with subtly doubled vocals and a simple build-up from acoustic guitar through mildly electronic weight & warmth, Life and Light connects for its melodic embrace & rising sense of passion alike.
“You should cherish the time you have with those around you, be it your friends or family. Let them know you love them while you have the chance because life is unpredictable.
Driving with absolute strength of song-writing and a beautifully crisp, organic pop-rock set-up, Alex Su’s Open Call engages and uplifts in a gorgeously classic fashion.
Comparison is the lifeblood of most reviews, but apart from the nods to other artists and songs already mentioned above, Astoria sits quite comfortably in a an alt-country / rock / folk pocket all on its own. Leo Harmonay sounds very comfortable and accomplished in that skin and the breadth of his vision is impressive indeed.
I Imagined A Window is a bit of a rollercoaster. It feels organic and authentic and thrilling, with a dusting of electronics, and, best of all, autotune has been given the day off. Good shout. Where the paint has peeled, it’s only added character and gravity to the ride and I, for one, want to go round again. It’s blown the cobwebs away!
Stunning, in short – a completely unique take on contemporary songwriting & performance, with a level of theatre & imaginative art that proves distinctly gripping, and increasingly likeable with each revisit to the song.
Capps loses himself in the moment with these songs, because, as the EP seems to explain, he lost a huge part of his life and his personality in experiencing the horrors of war.
A fascinating songwriter, by all accounts, Maria rolls with the natural artistry and intention of each song, not confined by genre or structure or expectation.
There’s no end to the creativity, and these tracks do indeed showcase the very best of Eric van Aro’s musical journey over the past four decades.