Welcome to the first New Music Fridays of 2020! The year starts off in fine fettle with predominantly folk-based tracks, but a bit of synthy pop thrown in there for good measure. Here’s to hoping 2020 brings more great music just like the tracks below! As always, click the pics to listen to the songs.
Brothers Page – Cause The World Is Small
The 6th and final track off their debut EP Back to You, Cause The World Is Small is lovely, folky pop at its best. Backed by mostly an acoustic guitar and a beat, the track says so much with so little as crisp vocals saunter over the hazy atmosphere with everything being pulled together in the uplifting chorus. Subtle layers are used sparingly to bring out the sound where necessary but never seem intrusive, making for a perfect blend of humility and skill in songwriting.
WREN – Tarot
Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and producer WREN releases a synth-driven track that explores a failing but not quite yet over relationship. With a retro synth sound creating electronically layered vocals, the track has a classic pop feel with relatable lyrics of confusion and heartache amongst strong beats. Instantly listenable and easy to get stuck in your head.
Maggie Pope – The Healing
The honest, raw, simplicity of Maggie Pope’s track The Healing is what makes it so brilliant. As guitar is gently picked, we’re transported to a time and a place that seems magical and pure as Maggie’s docile tones gently caress the listener into a sense of security. It almost feels like she takes you by the hand to lead you through the world she’s created. Like all her songs, this track preserves a moment in time that you’ll want to return to again and again.
The Bergamot – One Mile
Inspired by a 50,000-mile journey, One Mile inspires a message of hope at a turbulent time. As the band says, “Unity starts within the community.” With a contemporary folk sound and serene beginnings, it has shades of Conor Oberst as lyrics are placed together in a tangible way and always have a message behind them. The gentle harmonies really bring out the emotion in the track that doesn’t need to overstate itself, instead relying on a strong structure and good songwriting.
bandanna – Daylight
Tallahassee-based indie-pop band, bandanna take a subtle folk sound and raise it up with fantastic melodies and structures on track Daylight. Singer Anna Griffith’s vocals are a delight to listen to as she takes the lead, pushing the track forwards amongst the subtle guitar that forms a stable base. This base is perfect for the vocals to mess around with, go off on tangents and try out ideas. A mesmerizing piece.
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