“We all go through some lulls in life and it is those dark places and times that lend to the good and hopeful times feeling all the more uplifting. Madisyn Gifford gives us a soundtrack for those transformative moments when the clouds lift and the sun finds its way to our smiling faces once again. ‘Die Happy’ is a Pop Folk track that feels like emerging from a heavy, emotional cocoon. ”
“Our views of our parents definitely change as we age and experience our own turn as the head of a family. Kurt Lee Wheeler captures that journey brilliantly with ‘Hesitant Father.’
The acoustical track is emotive and emotional. You can call it Folk or simply Singer/Songwriter but really the heart of this one is universal. The reflective and personal nature is one that we can all fall in and feel.”
“Italian singer/songwriter, Damien McFly wrote ‘I’m Getting Older’ as a letter to his younger life. The track is meant to mark his feeling ten years into his music career and despite the personal nature of the track the lyrics have a broader relevance we can all understand and appreciate.
Life’s journey is fraught with ups and downs, and we all need to take some time to celebrate the growth and miles we’ve put behind us. This song does a great job and I dare you to listen because we all should take stock of our lives from time to time. ”
“Loving someone and watching them struggle with mental health issues is a gut-wrenching thing to do. Joshua Golden highlights the track with a touch of wry humor and a whole universe worth of compassion. ‘The Moon Is A Spaceship’ takes a tangible look at a journey fraught with pitfalls and dangers, but man is it absolutely full of humanity.”
“This track starts as a melancholic slow burn about the end of a relationship, but the build follows the same pattern most of us go through post breakup. So as the song build it shifts in tone to a more hopeful array of emotions.
Eastcliff does a great job of allowing the emotions to dictate the pace and build. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a journey and one well worth taking.”
“Nothing is quite as dark and gritty as love, or at least love gone awry. Remy Reilly does the ‘Dirty Work’ of unraveling not only the emotions, but the aftermath and toll on self worth when a relationship goes wrong.
The track has an Indie Pop songwriter vibe that almost hits the Americana/Folk realm in tone and style. The talent of the vocals, and an arrangement that dials in and sets the vibe, meshes so perfectly to form a complete well-rendreddsong that hits as hard with subsequent listens as it does the first.”
“Few things stir the emotions like a lonely night in a dive bar. Dave Murphy captures that brand of isolation with his Americana track ‘Josephine.’
Utilizing the dynamics of last call to rely the end of a relationship, Murphy perfectly captures the raw emotion of both and how the sand slips through the hourglass even faster at the end as the final grains settle down.”
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Sometimes the onlyw ay to feel free is to get outside and rediscover yourself via nature. ‘Bozeman Baby’ is an ode to aedie’s time in Montana and Big Sky Country.
Style wise, the track has an Indie Folk Rock kind of vibe and the result is a timeless sound that would have fit in the 80’s musical landscape as well as it does the current times. A fun easy track that I get something new out of with each listen.”
“LA troubadour Ethan Buckner comes with a smooth Indie Pop Folk vibe on ‘Wavering.’ The musical side has a tasty and evocative feel that ranges from smooth oceanscapes to a mor theatrical brand of brooding and though that build the lyrical progression pulls the listener along for the ride.
This is a track to listen to on repeat to pick up on all the emotions and nuance and I am here for it.”
“I have shared a nu7mber of tracks fromt he talented Bad Flamingo duo and they always bring that spaghetti western air of mystery to their tracks. This one starts out slow with a deep gravel and slowly grows into more of a simmering bit of attitude that grabs the listener by the throat.”
“True love is often found in the sweet everyday moments and Lila Holler captures that magic with her single, ‘Not Mad.’
Delivered in a Dreamy Folk Pop sort of vibe, Holler highlights all the little things that reinforce the love she feels. The moments that define a relationship far more than the grand gestures and purposeful actions. Simply a sweet track, dripping with sentiment and emotion. ”
“LA singer-songwriter Lily Kershaw offers a poignant reminder to connect with the important people in our lives on her new single, ‘Call Whoever This Makes You Think Of (Except Your Narcissist Ex).’
The vocal style is reminiscent of Brandi Carlile and the two talented artists share an impressive range as wella s emotive delivery that hooks the heart.
Kershaw’s upcoming album, Pain & More, will be released September 13th. and promises to be dripping in the emotions of humanity. ‘I’ve been struggling for so long,’ says Kershaw, who wrote and recorded it over two years. ‘This record is like a new cycle of my life.’”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
“Alanna Matty conjured thoughts of vintage Sheryl Crow on this track.
’Restless’ is a Folk Pop song about the Grind and Hustle mentality the entire world seems to have adopted. It is an anthem to taking a bit of time to simply be and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. ”
“Greyson Chance straddles the line between Rock, Pop, and Folk on this track. The Oklahoma native can be compared to acts sucha s Mumford or the Lumineers, but ‘Haymaker’ also feels in line emotionally with Americana in the vein of Jason Isbell, or even a more traditional Country sound such as Tyler Childers.
Emotionally raw and vulnerable, the track is masterfully written and performed. ”
“I often struggle to connect to vocals delivered in a high register but not this time. Lily Meola has a very emotive delivery that works for her higher, softer tone.
’Gasoline’ is the latest release from Meola who has captured the attention and mentorship of Willie Nelson. The track leans slightly to a Pop Folk sort of sound that feels alive and vibrant.”
“The track truly took off for me with the tempo shift around :35 seconds in, though the initial build was intriguing enough to hold me until the song came alive. The back and forth tempo and vocal delivery is well crafted, and the overall track is uplifting and true to the human spirit.
Kenny Sharp will certainly draw comparisons to Mumford and The Lumineers and there isn’t anything wrong with that, but this track is far from derivative so it stands on its own just fine.
The addition of Micki Brayboy adds to the talent and gives the song another layer.”
“Swedish artist, Julia Logan offers this Folk Pop track that is long on heart and soul and short of unnecessary production and glitter. The style is straightforward and heartfelt.
Logan lets the emotion do the heavy lifting, though her emotive vocal talent certainly draws the listener in, making it easy to kick back and let the words and melody wash over you.”
“I was hooked from the opening line. Annie Bacon & her Oshen delivers an emotional track that feels gritty and real.
There is more than a hint of Stevie Nicks to the tone, though the writing and overall vibe reminded more of Jason Isbell meets Lucinda Williams. Whatever you want to call it, this is songwriting glory performed by a talented and committed artist that ensures you feel every last word. Music as it should be!”
“David Frank is poised to be the next big name in the Folk Pop sound. This high energy track and strong writing offers an upbeat bit of motivation. LIke a warm hug this one wraps around you and pulls you in close.
There will probably be Mumford comparisons but this one feels a little tighter and more Commercial overall for me. I expect to hear this track a lot this coming summer.”
“Jack West is one of those voices that hooks you quickly and efficiently without even appearing to try. Of course that is the art, making it appear effortless and easy when we all know only a small percentage of dreamers and schemers actually possess the ability to open their soul and let you see inside. ‘I realize’ is a track that you feel, as much as hear, and West is a voice you can’t turn away from. ”