From folk pop softness to Johnny Cash confidence and grit, the style of Allan J rings loud as consistently unique for this release. The set-up and production, the lyrics and melodic meandering, the voice itself, all leans in the direction of something both original and inspiring, and fittingly, that’s also the essence of the song itself.
Songwriter
Around You sees us move away from the shoulder-swaying grooves of the past, for an upbeat indie gem of a track; one that feels like a slept-on classic from the late nineties days of Girl From Mars and Drinking in LA.
Acoustic roots return to lift up the forever unmistakable vocal stylings and lyrical darkness and depth of 3mind Blight. The iconic indie songwriter collaborates once again with Crimson Violet Blight, this time for a melodic and guitar-led venture through an evocative story of betrayal, denial, disgrace, and desperation.
Bryan Braning was inspired by his wife and daughters to write the songs of Rise Phoenix. The tracks read like poems in many ways, often abstract and provocative, rather than literal and detailed or following specific scenes. There’s a depth to the wonder of each song, and the music backs that up well.
Beautifully captured for that reverb-kissed ethereal chamber of contemplation, There Is A Sound pours through like a nostalgic feeling of depth and wonder. The song achieves a sense of intimacy and vastness all at once, utilising contrast beautifully from these lower-toned verses to the impassioned and higher-pitched hook.
That’s the key with much of Blue Julius’ songwriting – this sense of newness intertwined with that which naturally connects and soothes.
Featuring subtle vocal harmonies and a clear sense of longing and warmth carefully intertwined, Been Everywhere But Me is a profound retelling of the turmoil that inevitability comes from living a life incompatible with our authentic selves.
Catchy but non-intrusive, electro to organic pop unedited and unhidden by effects and falseness, Elliot Wren’s music always speaks its truth both stylistically and lyrically, and Queen Of Hell underlines that strength as the latest and perhaps most distinctly quirky or characterful song to emerge thus far.
Smoothly captured acoustic guitar rhythm and breathy vocals set the mood well, as Mike Cothrine blends the melodic appeal and heartfelt sentiments of country music, with something a little more soulful in its meandering and impassioned tune.
Timeless piano-pop shines light on the power of self-belief, relationships, and inner strength, as Sara Rego and Tiago Freitas deliver the boldly honest yet inspiring duet Stay.
Indie four-piece Gear keep things as simple and effective as their name implies, carving out a uniquely evocative, nostalgic but gritty realm as an authentic band, and building their sound around boldly poetic and powerful soundscapes and songs.
It’s always the songwriting that separates the lasting artists from the crowd. Great voices can entertain, but a great song can stand the test of time, and that seems to be what lets the single Burn rise above many folk-pop and indie releases.