Huge pop anthems of a live-band aura and catchy, evocative songwriting – MatteoM’s long-anticipated album What Is It All About? delivers an extensive exploration of the vagaries of love and the difficulties they present. It begins with the hugely vibrant pop-rock anthem Change Of Heart.
Songwriter
Poetic songwriting is key, finding a new way of framing a somewhat familiar sentiment or introspection, and then building a story and song around that central idea. The Architect encapsulates the value of that approach, quite literally in fact, and while the style is nothing ground-breaking, it doesn’t need to be.
Spellbinding acoustic folk, a familiar style with divinely intimate vocals, reflecting on a subject matter with poignant vulnerability. Wren Arkose unite poetic short lines with a deeply introspective account of a life lived amidst the struggle of anorexia, for the powerful and gripping single Bones.
Currently 75 years young and vocally distinct in an effortless and enchanting fashion, Cousti writes with a heartfelt and catchy approach, songs like Turn Around and Survive instantly appealing for both their sense of live-band warmth and the naturally inspiring sentiments and loving references of their lyrics. The melodies are simple but satisfying, and that voice carries things along in a way that feels genuinely fresh.
Fellow Mancunian Ben Heyworth highlights the very best of the talent, contemplation and magic of the city’s indie musicians, with his latest solo endeavour that is the beautifully organic folk EP Creatures.
Crisp acoustic guitar and boldly distinct, deep vocals, blending spoken and sung performance, throughout a heartfelt song that proudly celebrates the life-changing moment you meet your first child. Australian artist Simon Orton captures a sound both unique and classic, with The Next Me.
Norwegian three-piece GISKE capture an organic folk-pop sound loaded with warmth in both imagery and musicality. Light Upon The Water is every bit as hopeful and uplifting as its title and artwork imply, and the music grows all the more beautiful as things progress.
Chinese composer, producer and artist CDA REVE, intertwines the softness of ambient piano, with the modern lo-fi escapism of a trap-style beat, and divinely gentle vocals, for the enchanting calm and embrace of 22:22.
Folk vocals that feel beautifully traditional, perhaps a twist of something Jake Bugg-like for the modern audience, and a classic folk-rock groove of acoustic guitars and hi-hats. UK singer and artist FRASER. brings thoughtful, poetic songwriting to the forefront, with the gentle embrace and rhythmic comfort of White Picket Fences.
Sometimes the bare essentials are all you need – great songwriting means something, sounds genuine, connects and moves a listener, and is simply enjoyable to experience. Jack Horton’s Set Me Free is a humble and timeless example of precisely those qualities.
Creatively fusing a subtle yet upbeat soundscape and divinely gentle vocals, Minneapolis-born artist and songwriter Raymnd highlights the very best of his unique songwriting and performance style, with the distinct and enchanting Paranoia. Built around a modest guitar riff for a twist of something Americana-like, the song is otherwise driven by hints of everything from … Continued
LA singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vastly streamed artist – Adam Exler has gone from strength to strength in extending his original repertoire of music over the years.