“Plastic Leaves won’t give you oxygen, but damn do they look good no matter what you feed them. It’s alright, who wants all that dirt from the outside in such a clean place.” The opening lines of Jennings Creek show an intuitive nature, one guaranteed to pull an indie folk lover into the work of Cassie Noble.
She matches that descriptive lyrical prowess with a soulful delivery that bends the initial indie folk feel into realms of classic soul infected rock. Stylistically we hear an influence of Natalie Merchant and Paula Cole with the indie sensibility of Kathleen Edwards. Like them all Cassie Noble is appropriately epic, with a compositional aesthetic that evolves the arrangement with progressive appeal. No matter how you define it, you can’t deny that it moves you and offers the signfigance of deeper meaning. We dig this musical drama.
Hear Jennings Creek now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Maisie May is refreshingly candid on her intoxicating new single Small Talk. The vocal performance projects the narrative convincingly. There’s an urgency beneath the soft affect of her voice, one trying to retain a trace of desirability while being consumed by rushes of anxiety.
At its essence it catches you melodically, but the lyrics offer Small Talk substance. Everyone has felt this once and you can see yourself within this musical moment. Stylistically it recalls the writing of Daniel Johnston and his ability to conjure candid truth into his writing. May combines that with the abstract blog wave appeal of Joji and Frank Ocean. We find Small Talk absolutely entrancing.
Maisie May is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
From the first built up dramatic moment of The Passenger the vibe applies like an imaginative catalyst. The new single from Nathaniel Sutton has that magical essence, the ability to transport you to some vision of triumph, whether memorable or imagined or just plain desired.
In our new brainwashed dystopia we’re always aimed at some challenge, hopefully emotional but often career driven. But with Passenger, Sutton invents a musical device to remind you that it’s the people around you who deserve your focus. It’s meaningful relationships that offer karmic release from your self inflicted prison. “Destination nowhere is where I want to be.” Live in the moment and let it deliver you to truth.
Passenger is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
George Boomsma strikes gold with Lily Of The Nile. Elegantly produced, the naturally comforting composition gets illuminated by a gorgeous orchestral arrangement. Like a Sunday stroll Lily Of The Nile doesn’t seem like she’s in a rush to get anywhere. The affect is calming, with a rare tempo that’s fairly slow but never drags. It’s the productions primary unassuming pro trait, and our compliment to the bands rhythm section.
Everything suits to honor Boomsma’s patient croon. Lily Of The Nile lands classic with old soul flair, recalling the works of Rufus Wainwright with an added modern indie sensibility known to recent ballads by Father John Misty. Like them both, Boomsma has class.
George Boomsma is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 