Luke Beling is inspiring on his recent The Light Is Coming. Co-written by Joe Pennel, the duo teamed up after Joe sent him an idea for a new tune. That chance lead to this collaboration, and we are all thankful for it. The Light Is Coming recalls the melancholy appeal of Damien Rice with some mainstream potential in the vein of Mumford and Son. Beling is a revelation, offering a genuine performance that’s believable.
The lyrics are anthemic and reference our collective fabric. Poetic imagery ties that fabric together. Dreamy production illuminates the sonic atmosphere, adding to its metaphysical aura. Classic scattered pounding toms connects it to music’s ancient past, the history of war drums or reclaimed coronations. A reminder that what is has always been, and that we are not that different than everyone who came before.
Same bodies, different clothes. That understanding, and this song, are meant to get you through difficult times, Beling offers that the message is something everyone can connect to. “You’re not alone. Don’t give up.” We won’t.
Hear The Light is Coming now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Swamp Eyes is hypnotic on their intoxicating Cheers. They uncover the space between Elliot Smith and Nick Drake elegantly. Melancholy with dreamy intention, the writing is innovative and thoughtful. The guitar work screams Drake while the vocal design mirrors Smith. Stylistically haunting, the collective vibe is exquisite.
The droning bowed atmosphere that churns beneath adds to the dark haunting affect. An exciting find in accessible unconventional dark folk, its melodically beautiful and equally reverent.
Cheers is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Terry Blade displays an expansive stylistic range on his new release Ethos – Son of a Sharecropper. Stylistically enticing, the works lyrical value is its most important feature. The artist presents these stories with bright varying arrangements that pull from the spectrum of popular music. He can be modern and intriguing, connecting with artists like Jose Gonzalez on stand outs like Rigor Mortis. The single embraces an exotic troubadour feel. He can lean alt country like on Rainbow Child, recalling the works of Jason Isbell. He can morph into a classic blues feel like Won’t Be Around. He can also be traditional like on In Grandma’s Kitchen. The style choices add to the albums theatrical appeal. They’re meant to accentuate the narratives within the song. That conceptual intention is part of his acquired genius.
Taken from his press release, the artists intention is an important feature when listening to these works. He shares, “I wanted to show that “black music” includes traditional Americana music. Thematically, the album wrestles with self identity, culture, community, relationships, adversity and perseverance. The term “son of a sharecropper” as used in the album’s title is a reference to my being a descendant of black American sharecroppers in Colerain, North Carolina.”
We really enjoy this. Terry Blade is currently featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The perplexing reality of Dreams Within Dreams. Have you ever had one? The title of the new single from Ali George, the narrative is insightful and introspective. There’s an altruistic awareness at the root of this discovery. You can’t get here if you’re only looking internally, you have to reach out beyond yourself to understand that connection at large.
For us the lyrics have layered functions. It’s not just your dreams, but others as well that collide on some unexplainable cosmic highway. Ultimately its not all about you, and that ethos ties in the narrative of the neglected wife, a direct lyrical intention that Ali offers as a guided perspective. He shares this elegantly, with the traditional flare of John Prine or John Martyn. The old soul shines through, as Dreams Within Dreams has the charm known to those vintage classic.
Hear Dreams Within Dreams now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 
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