Intoxicating musical wisdom and charm meanders from pure euphoric vibrancy to intimate and honest contemplation. Tennessee songwriter and musician Ben Stephens delivers a sensational debut album this year, with the unrivalled complexity, skill and originality of a fiercely vulnerable Hello World, This Is The Inside Of My Mind.
Indie Folk
Settle into this one for the evening – lightly reverb-kissed electric guitar, inviting and warm, akin to the kind of playing delivered by Jeff Buckley or James Bay, but a voice and songwriting style that’s a little more distinctly indie-band-like and engaging for its originality.
Authenticity is key, this kind of raw recording style, the live guitar sound and the natural voice – something like Eva Cassidy meets Laura Marling – it’s interesting, unpredictable, but comforting in its humility and introspection.
Intoxicating ambient indie folk, enchanting world rhythms and layers of harmonised female voices, like a Church choir lost in a trance – Denis Sedov captures something brilliantly beautiful, with the depth and rhythmic grip of Winter (Зима).
“The main values I want to represent in the indie folk music world are authenticity, integrity, and kindness.”
Indie music raising the bar as ever for the true and expressive creative freedom that drives things forward. Zuko Sian captures something cool and artistic, a sound rhythmically dancing between alt-folk festival vibes, hip hop, RnB and alternative pop or trip hop.
The organic and raw capture of a live performance, joyful intimacy resounding by way of keys and acoustic guitar, leads us into the imagery and appreciation of Byron Times.
The intricate balancing of sonic warmth and acoustic intimacy – an expression of longing and contemplation that rises with honesty and esteem, throughout a softly expanding, organic but impassioned audio arrangement…
Chas Leman first hit the radar with the evocative and poignant yet anthemic single The Last Boys To Be Picked at Football. The artist introduced a great sense of melodic-riff building, energy, and topical nostalgia that was quick to appeal.
Now we get to hear the true versatility of that approach, this old-school Brit Pop and Rock aura that’s rooted in stories and a broad range of influences.
Lifelong creative and indie favourite Rasmus Fynbo, standing tall on the back of over 25 years of experience as a musician, releases this season a stunning collection of original tracks – in collaboration with the wonderful vocals of Argentinian singer Camila Castellani.
Utilising both the French and Fongbé languages from their native Benin, Duo Landry+ underline the power and beauty of music in connecting on a profound level. There is no barrier between the band and the listeners with any other native tongue – the music is a simple joy and inspiring pleasure to listen to.
Completing the album in a fairly perfect way, Dear Future Me tracks a life from start to finish, through the decades, painting a picture that warms the heart and even brings a tear to the eye.