Pitango caught our attention with their new single Landscape. The calculated plucking beneath the singers instinctual twang feels authentic to a time and place, while the composition reflect a notable indie melodic influence to challenge their traditional folk credo.
For us, they find the middle ground between Big Thief and Nick Drake. Artists who similarly sound like they were raised on roots music before rewriting that influence modern. It’s heard in the exotic abstract melodic shift, as their traditional influences get altered by their genuine creative ethos.
An inclination towards dark and moody motives amplifies their psychedelic tendencies. In that final moment that temperamental transgression is full realized, as the pretty folk spirit is abandoned for a foray into a dark occult inspired progression.
Landscape is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
We got lost in the cinematic feel of Decay, the new single from Bertie Newman. Beautifully produced, sonic treats tickle the dreamy atmosphere. A soothing indie folk composition at its essence, Decay gets enhanced by an expressive sound design.
It’s a gorgeous piece of recording art, one that honors the genuinely thoughtful composition while achieving a sound spectacular in its own right. Stylistically we think it bridges the aesthetics of Lord Huron, Darlingside, and Gregory Alan Isakov. It’s a testament to its dreamy harmonious essence and Americana roots. Its brilliant.
Hear Decay now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Yeah I Know is the optimal composition for the lush intoxicating vocal ability of Zoe Konez. The affect is dreamy with a subtle abstract detail in the breadth of how the harmonies blend together.
There’s an optimistic underlayer and a thematic mirage of moving forward despite its simple arrangement and lack of a drum beat. In that way the music mirrors an influence Nebraska era Springsteen while the vocal arrangement bears the inspiration of Sufjan Stevens and Imogen Heap. Altogether we find it exhilarating.
Zoe Konez is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Heather Anne Lomax wakes the ghosts of roots Americana on her new single Mama’s Sleepin’. There’s an infectious fury to her performance. Her attitude is magnetic, pulling you to the front of the stage so that she might deliver you from the angst of routine cultural conundrums. It’s a foot stomping empowered outlaw country anthem fit to be your signature battle cry at the dawn of Friday Night.
There’s a gypsy influence too. She finds the middle ground between Miranda Lambert and Led Zeppelin. A nostalgic call and response vocal offers a playful detail. In that way it’s both furious and fun courtesy of her backups community courage. It’s their FAAFO energy we admire.
Hear Mama’s Sleepin’ now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Blessed with an incredibly versatile vocal ability, composer Elly Kace creates expansive musical journeys as optimal canvases for her voice to wander. Her latest if I ask is a whole musical world. Within that space Kace embraces some serenity while leaving some space for mantra. It’s a reflection of her meditational dialect, with music being another conceptual instrument for spiritual practice.
Her eclectic catalog shows a big stylistic range, one that flirts with trip hop, atmospheric music, and beyond. Her latest feels like a soundtrack for life, with some post rock ascension that reflects an influence of Explosions In The Sky. Kace bypasses the big guitars and opts for orchestration in the vein of George Martin. Paired with her other works it offers some collective resolve. For us, it’s her crowning achievement. We’re big fans.
Elly Kace is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 