“Rock and Roll is not what I thought”
The new single from Joe Kaplow is a refreshing introspective journey. It’s full of vintage swagger and lucid poetic imagery. There’s an authenticity to the vocal performance with some nostalgic flash.
Kaplow leans into his classic twang fearlessly, embracing what makes him different and managing it with stylistic flair. In that way it recalls icons like Levon Helm or Neil Young, with some modern remnants familiar to Kurt Vile. It’s a cool kid aesthetic meant mostly for the people that want it, but drawing curiously from everyone cause it’s so damn fresh.
Hear Rock and Roll now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Alix Page is the voice of a generation. Her lyrical insights find familiarity with her coming of age audience. Her new single Girlfriend fits the bill. The narrative is full of self doubt and role confusion. It speaks to a young audience who isn’t quite sure yet how this all works out.
There’s a refreshing insecurity to her performance that bears rare humility in the age of pomp. We think it’s charming and offers an alternative for the less assertive lot. It’s enhanced by a catchy hook ripe for a teen romance soundtrack. Stylistically it slaps some indie pop sweetness on a vibe familiar to Lizzie McAlpine or Clairo.
Hear Girlfriend now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Ronjo V claims his lot in sacred space on his recent single Church Girl. The songwriting pens an alt country gem with classic Americana roots. He finds some rare fresh footing within a familiar vibe, and honors that connection with catchy sonic treats. It’s heard in the tasteful use of horns and droning organ.
The gorgeous arrangement amplifies this relatable narrative. That poetic conundrum of lusting in a holy place. Your Grandmother might say that Jesus brought them together. Stylistically we hear references to Petty, Springsteen, and Ryan Adams. That’s a great place to be. Get into it.
Church Girl is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
An intriguing alt folk songwriter wades beneath the surface in the Staten Islands crowded underground music scene. Campaigner caught our attention with the release of his prolific new self titled 12 song album. The bedroom emo folk aesthetic is likely to draw comparisons to Alex G. We also hear the influence of Bright Eyes on songs like How I Know. The affect adapts playfully on songs like Your Boyfriend, which bears a sentiment familiar to Magnetic Fields or Violent Femmes. The songwriter is instinctually catchy with some added melodic surprise to adapt these progressions new.
His lyrical wordsmith ability evolves lucid on songs like River Park. He’s able to poetically offer personal retrospects that reflect the complex lyrical discoveries familiar to Petey. We also dig the campy abstract emo folk feel of songs like Trader Joe’s. It offers the collective album some cinematic revelry, as the songs progress like an alt folk Odyssey. It’s a relatable coming of age tension, a narrative that suits his voices emotional yearning and his writing’s emo roots.
Campaigner is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 