“In what is the debut single for Wax Owls, ‘Set It Free’ is a big soaring brand of Commercial Folk. Falling into a stratosphere somewhere between Mumford & Sons and Tom Petty the band’s sound feels lively and emotional on this track. Lyrically, the song is about moving back and sort of facing your past while acknowledging the roads you’ve traveled. ”
“Fiona Harte mesmerizes with her emotive vocals on this dazzling emotional track. The Northern Irish singer songwriter has a hint of Dolly to her tone, and a whisper of Joni Mitchel in her soul, but here on this track, Harte’s talent stands alone in the spotlight with both an outstanding vocal performance and a stellar bit of songwriting which combine to captivate the way few artists are capable.”
“Hugo Valentine gives us a bit of a throwback. With a track that builds in the arrangement in such a way that conjures vibes of classic hits of the 70’s and 80’s, while also having that big musical sound of a contemporary single, ‘Rule The World’ ends up sounding very much like a collaboration between Elton John and Coldplay.
The energy here sweeps the listener up after a calm opening.”
“Reminding me a bit of the Canadian band ,The Cowboy Junkies, Xanthe Alexis delivers a nurturing brand of tenderness in her single ‘The Offering.’
Hailing from Colorado, Alexis brings a hint of that soft mountain spirit to both her songwriting and the vocals in this track. Decidedly Americana in sound, the emotion of this track wraps around the listener and never lets go.”
“Holly Oullette fully embraced songwriting after a Hockey injury curtailed her athletic pursuits, and what the ice loses, the music world gains in a talented writer and emotive vocalist.
Part of a larger project, ‘One Time’ is about trying to rekindle the spark and hope from a damaged relationship that once held great promise. The emotions shine through in both the writing and the delivery, making this an engaging track that simple refuses to let you go. Look for the complete project titles What I Can’t Take Back to hear more of Oullette’s talent.”
“The honesty of the songwriting pulled me in. Meeting a person that has a lot of good qualities, but just doesn’t have that certain spark creates a mental dilemma. In dating world where you come across so many flawed, wacky, and weird people it is hard to walk away from a seemingly normal person simply because the chemistry isn’t there, and this track unravels this thought process with intriguing raw emotion, and an engaging sound. ”
“Coming with a classic Folk sound, both vocally and in the melody, Mamie Minch gives us a ‘Fortified Wine.’ There is a bit of Woody Guthrie woven through this track and because there is a bit of Woody in so many artists from the genre you can trace this sound to many other contemporary Folk artists. That said, Minch’s husky vocals and emotive style rises above the fray to deliver a truly engaging single.”
“Written about, and for, his mother-in-law, Cory Taylor Cox takes what many would dismiss as the mundane and turns it into an extraordinaire ode to a life well spent. The love and dedication, and determination shine through, and the vocal talent brings all of those assessments as well as a spirit to the track, making the songwriting shine as much as the performance.”
“Is Commercial Folk a thing? If it is Emily Drinker is taking a big sip from that fountain, because while there are definite Pop sensibilities within the arrangement, Drinker’s overall vocal tone feels folksy and energetic with hints of blues and jazz coming through at times. The build and progression are engaging, and I was on the hook all the way through. ”
“How can you not get down with the philosophy of ‘Don’t Give Me Problems, Give me Wine?’
The tone here is engaging and straightforward. BabyJake emotes the passion behind the lyrics in this track that feels almost Cosmic Cowboy in nature. A hint of Folk, a jolt of Rock, a splash of that 70s Alt Country vibe and this track simply oozes with coolness.”
“Sometimes songs speak for themselves. The melody, the lyrics, the emotive vocals. ‘It Was Ever So’ is such a song.
Written about the fire-fighters who lost their jobs when the oldest fire station in London was shuttered by Boris Johnson, the track is the first single from Our Man In The Field’s next album due out September 2020.”
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
“Becky Krill is summer vibing with this track that opens with a nostalgic, folksy feel before slipping into more of an Electro Pop groove as it progresses.
’Alive in the Summertime’ offers a light energy of optimism in a world that often feels pessimistic these days. I did find myself wishing the track had another verse to keep the good feelings going a bit longer.”
“Corey Quinn Farrell gives us this poetic Folk song that feels as much like literature, as it does a song. The cello and guitar melody add a layer of emotion that compliments the heartfelt lyrics.
’Melancholy Lullaby’ is a fond remembrance of a love that has drifted apart and the nostalgic refrain carries a tinge of sad melancholy, but also offers a kindness in its recollections that makes the track feel sweet and tender.”
“Like any kind of high we find in this world, be they artificial, chemical, or purely natural ... like falling in love, what goes up must eventually come down.
’Clean Slate’ explores the emotions of that arc. The euphoria of getting swept up and feeling like the world is sunshine and rainbows and the realization that once that bliss wears off a bit you are still much the same, but that is not to say you can’t acknowledge and do your best to erase the things you want to let go of in order to embrace the possibilities ahead.”
“Bending and contorting ourselves is something we all tend to do, but bend too damn far and you’ll lose who you are. This bluesy take on the traditional California Folk style is deceivingly well-crafted and insightful. There is a light airy tone to this scintillating track, though the punch of these lyrics hits hard if you let ‘em. ”
“Love and lust are tricky things, and if you are not careful, the chase is what you come to crave more than the actual act of being with someone.
Lenkie is a 17 year old South African artist living in New York City, and here she gives us track that feels wise beyond her years. Dark and brooding and intuitive, the mood feels as dangerous as the girl mentioned in “Trouble.””
“Rett Madison has invited you deep into her psyche and personal vault of memories and emotions. Invite really isn’t a strong enough word, as she has more welcomed you with open arms thanks to her immense talent. The lyrics wrap around you tight and her emotive vocal performance offers the same level of warmth and understanding. All of that is possible because through sheer honest sharing, she has giving us a track with a strong relevance for us all. ”
“The ability to make a listener truly feel the emotions of what you are singing is a gift, and Ben Labat shares that gift with his latest single, ‘Born to Cross Lines.’ A little Folk, a little soul, and a whole lot of talent are at the heart of the track. that pulls you in and holds you with a smooth melody and vocals that simply feel right and natural. This is the kind of emotion that comes from a life spent living forward and the hard earned wisdom is a gift for all that truly stop and focus on the lyrics and performance. ”
“Writing up a personal narrative, and tying it to something more so that it feels personally relevant for others is not easy chore, but S.G. Goodman has done so with ‘Red Bird Morning.’ Written about her time at the Standing Rock Protest the track feels both personally evocative, and intimately inviting. Like an old friend opening the screen door with a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and asking you in for a cup. The vocals are soft and yet ragged at the edges, and in them, is empathy, emotion and a knowledge you can’t help but crave more of. ”
“Dylan, Guthrie, Petty, Isbell. Elements of these great songwriters, and others, come through in the vulnerable raw lyrics of Ryan Cassata. The melody too has been created to covey the inner thoughts of this talented artist.
Sure the masters of the craft have influenced Cassata, but I would be remiss not to proclaim the individuality as well. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ is a song about falling in love after a traumatic past filled with violent hate crimes and bullying in Cassata’s conservative hometown on Long Island. Cassatta explained more by saying ‘In this music video, I go back to my hometown (Bay Shore, NY) and visit some of the places that hurt me the most as a young queer/trans person.’
The video is bleak in the gray tones, but in the words there is a hope, a spirit that is part defiant and part relief, a sense of I’ve survived and now it is my time to thrive.
This recording was done live, without embellishments or retakes and this fact only adds to artistry as we listen to a true songwriter bare their soul. ”