Lifelong friends and supreme songwriters – Upstate capture the moment beautifully, with the eclectic and colourful, uplifting and refreshingly honest tracks of their latest project North & South. Featuring a versatile arrangement of organic instrumentation including guitars, banjos, bass, and multiple vocals, the project bursts into life with the distinct and engaging voice, melodic appeal and scene-setting story of A Gamble. The mood is high, the set-up pure and powerful in its folk to rock fusion, and the lyrics captivate with each new line. It’s an immensely strong start, and the entire ..read more

Songwriter Jon Casto fronts the acoustic and atmospheric World Music tones and conceptualisations of Universal Appeal – an act devoted to intertwining the deeply personal and the broadly relatable. The Price Of Liberty showcases precisely these qualities, presenting a sense of individual journey and political poignancy throughout its exploration of liberty and this callout for freedom and possibility. Built around acoustic fingerpicking and an impressively progressive, unpredictably shifting structure, The Price Of Liberty feels almost like a theatrical stage show in the making. The vocals mov ..read more

Long-time favourite and easily one of indie’s most engaging songwriters from recent years, Kyle Jaymes leans into the anthemic uplift of Folk Rock, with the brilliantly captivating new single Haunting. Always distinct vocally and always one of the only lyricists to hold attention throughout any new track, Kyle Jaymes maintains his eclecticism as an independent artist, and yet also holds close to those essential roots of identity in voice, topic, and energy. Haunting is completely different once again to his recent releases, but is no less recognisable, and offers a refreshingly anthemic twist ..read more

Delicate fingerstyle guitar of descending chords that feel both folk-like and neo-classical by nature – Jernej Zoran showcases a songwriting prowess once again, with the heartfelt and rising warmth of You. Presenting an increasingly enchanting, uplifting and memorable arrangement, You gathers momentum consistently and impressively, finding its groove amidst the brightness and embrace of Country and Americana, with an impassioned vocal delivery and chorus that naturally lingers in the mind. You leads with a distinct but subtle guitar riff, a growing sense of energy and conviction – a bold conne ..read more

Keeping things simple but satisfying, Chris Costalupes unites the raw strum of an electric guitar with reverb-kissed vocals and poetic reflections. You’re Not Here Anymore accesses the pain of loneliness and separation, with the increasingly powerful rock set-up of a musician passionately committed to the subject matter at hand. Featuring an almost grunge-like vocal during the hook, You’re Not Here Anymore balances that out with a notably more hopeful musicality, but maintains the power and desperation of the writing with a well-placed instrumental break that relights the structural prowess of ..read more

Country, Folk and Americana all soulfully united with stories that relate and reflect – Banner Johnson returns, with a full length album of heartfelt gems and outright anthems alike. Old Friend starts off the Gasoline and Purple Weed journey, an acoustic finger-picked and intimate song, partly familiar and building up to a colourful clap rhythm and chorus of voices; the sort of World and Folk unity promised only by the most organic of songwriters and musicians. Conceptually we seem quite far from the implications of the album’s title – but potential metaphors, plus lashings of nostalgia, are c ..read more

The big-band sound of folk rock and pop shines brightly, alongside a welcomed touch of intimacy in the breathy vocal-lead and traditional acoustic folk verses. Swedish songwriter SATRE delivers an uplifting to euphoric anthem in poetic celebration of love, with homebound. Professionally and passionately captured, with a stripped-back and simple hook to uniquely juxtapose the fullness and marching rhythm of the verses, homebound fits well amidst the current rise of artists like Noah Kahan, or more nostalgically bands like Mumford and Sons. However, it also unwraps its own songwriting originalit ..read more

Big vibes from world music creative act KOMASI. Masupian is an infectious organic track with a funky set-up and pace. The vocals inject a passionate call and response hook, following expressive verses from an all-encompassing performance that’s as captivating as it is addictive to listen to. The band even throw in a gritty rap verse during the latter half – lifting the vibe all the more so and drawing both your body and mind right into the centre of the action. The live performance video gifts Masupian all the more power as an original release. KOMASI engage and impress, entertain and uplift ..read more

Organic layers of acoustic and amplified instruments, from guitars through pipes and hand drums to harmonicas, alongside a distinct and expressive leading voice – introducing the boldly eclectic, thoughtful and poetic sound of Meditative Animal. An established indie creative, supporting the release of this latest album with a biographical e-book entitled Metaphysical Sherpa: Misunderstood Mystic, Meditative Animal brings a sound that’s somewhere between the likes of Bob Dylan, Rusted Root, and The Rolling Stones. But ultimately, it’s a style that’s quick to become a thing of its own. Sixteen t ..read more

Introducing a brief yet striking new EP, from a creative with a clear sense of expression and identity at the helm. Dr. Evan’s Island brings strength of songwriting together with sublimely unique, intoxicating vocal ability, and The Fine Game of Nil showcases those qualities on a defiant high. We begin with the instantly passionate and evocative The Moment, a sincere and bold yet trembling vocal backing up a simple sway of a groove. The organic depth is mesmerising, the lyrics equally powerful, and the unique tendencies or nuances of the vocal help really bring the writing to life. The song pr ..read more