Bess Atwell drops one of her dreamiest tracks yet with her recent I Am Awake. There’s a swagger to her vocal performance that teases an influence of soul and works it into this indie folk pop framework. She leans into her voices lush potential. In that way the vibe bridges the gap between Charlotte Day Wilson and Bon Iver. It’s absolutely a vibe, one you want to immerse yourself in between two blaring headphones. It’s just the latest genius installment from this prolific buzz artist.
Atwell just dropped her new full length Light Sleeper. I Am Awake joins several other notable singles that we have featured in advance of the album drop. What can we say? Bess Atwell is absolutely an artist to watch and the album is a triumph. You’re still early but jump in soon, Atwell is likely too take flight.
Bess Atwell is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
German indie folk outfit Sleepwalker’s Station grabbed our curiosity when they cited Gotye as an influence. The elusive flash career of Gotye feels like it existed in another dimension, but Sleepwalker’s Station hasn’t forgotten about the impact his music had on the international scene. Their new single Manitoba immediately cites that influence courtesy of the inspired percussion design.
They adapt that influence whilst featuring a measured duet with Zora. It’s gloriously cinematic and refreshingly elusive, much like their influences. We also hear an inspiration of Andrew Bird. We can dig it.
Hear Manitoba now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Cat Rose Smith makes Nowhere sound magical. The title of her new single lands genuine within a classic Americana framework. The recording style has some modern indie influence in a way that reflects the sonic nature of Big Thief.
The composition and the artists own voice connects more with the work of Norah Jones. Like Norah, Cat Rose Smith is elegant and smooth. The vocal feels natural, with that easy going feel projecting an intoxicating brilliance. The nostalgic arrangement adds to the classic aura.
Hear Nowhere now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Colorado folk musician and producer Scott Jackson caught our attention with his impressive new 12 song album release Silver Moon. This is his fourth full length in as many years, and a grand proclamation of eclectic brilliance. The title track features calculated picking beneath his calm and comforting vocal. Stylistically it recalls an influence Nick Drake, a share detail that permeates through the entire record. It gives the album some conceptual weight, and helps tie it to a time when full album works were still the standard.
There are a lot of highlights on this record. The vibe adapts more upbeat on Supernova and Room To Spare. Here Jacksons evolves like a chill Americana version of Lord Huron (a Colorado favorite). Jackson shares in how they adapt their love for cinematic brilliance and western nostalgia.
Softer highlights includes the harmonious Gone Away.
All feature Jackson’s impressive guitar playing and proficient harmonic touch. His style is a sure thing for fans of Darlingside and Sufjan Stevens, while also tastefully crossing over into the jam band scene courtesy of some rare guitar solos.
Altogether Scott Jackson’s vintage soul gracefully embraces new movements in indie folk. He bridges the gap between refreshing musicianship and our new obsession with a vibe aesthetic. That middle ground makes for a more enriching concert experience. One where the options to improv are more fruitful, and Jackson can lean into his sweet sweet tele blues derived tone if he so chooses.
Scott Jackson is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 