Lily Kershaw – “Poem Song” -The calm piano work on this song is enough to pull in even the hardest hearted listener… but then the lyrics and Kershaw’s gorgeous voice just make the song even more special. This is a remarkable performance. The lyrics highlight a wide range of experiences and emotions that are sure to be relatable to many listeners. To me, what makes the song so meaningful is the way that Kershaw uses powerful vocals while singing these expressive, accessible ideas. I adore this one. Charm of Finches – “If You Know Me” -It’s impossible for me to listen to this song without think ..read more

Leau – “Too Many Friends” -Fans of atmospheric folk music will appreciate the quality of this indie pop track from Leau. The dynamic rise on the chorus is beautiful for the listener. The lyrics are about dealing with how you feel when things don’t work in a relationship. The layered and repeated “could it be real life?” feels cathartic and peaceful. The whole composition shows a sophisticated and engaging style of indie pop. Fans of artists like Lizzy McAlpine or Maggie Rogers will find a lot to like with this sound. Brielle Kaga – “Mess It Up” -I am an unapologetic fan of this sort of emotio ..read more

Remy Sher – “Sunflower Seeds” -Remy Sher is one of those artists that has become almost an automatic yes. There’s a depth and sincerity to the lyrical choices made on this track. Sher’s vocal style makes you trust what he has to say. The instrumentation feels like a classic alt country style, echoing the roots of the genre while bringing something modern and satisfying. The lyrics are pleading for attention and acceptance from a love interest. The lyrical imagery has Isbell-esque gravitas (and I mean that dearly). This is a great tune from a superbly promising emerging songwriter. Surtsey ..read more

Laura Lucas – “When the Fire Started” -If you’re a fan of acoustic folk music, there’s a lot to like about this new song from Laura Lucas. The vocal harmonies are magical from the very start. It’s a love song with a gentle and accessible intimacy. It’s a sound that’s sure to appeal to a wide variety of our audience as it is comparable to artists we’ve featured in the past like the Native Sibling or Ocie Elliott. We’re happy to support this type of promising new folk music. Amble – “Of Land and Sea” -There’s something about a song that opens with fingerpicking that pulls me in right away. Now ..read more

Madeleine Mayi – “Faithless” -This is one of the most important songs I’ve heard in 2024. It is timely for the questions it asks, the answers it provides, and the central concern of the supernatural. If you grew up in a religious context and find yourself asking faith questions, this song is absolutely for you. This is a theme that we’ve been covering since Noah Gundersen’s “Jesus Jesus” in the early days of our blog. Mayi’s magical use of electronic elements creates a soaring, atmospheric quality for these hard questions. I’m a music blogger and not a theologian, but I will say that these are ..read more

Surtsey are an intriguing band with a sound that feels like the kissing cousin to a number of different sounds. You’ll hear some countrified steel guitar, some great folksy acoustic guitar, and poetic singer songwriter style lyrics. The sound comes together for something we’ll call Americana and the new EP Nothing Doing highlights the versatility of this quality band. “Stick” is the opening, complete with the soaring steel guitar at the heart of the song. The overall vibe of the track feels a bit like folk rock with a country twist. The vocal harmonies on the bridge are really nice on this one ..read more

Nathan Evans Fox – “Landlords, Bill Lee, etc.” -If you’re a fan of classic storytelling country music, give this track a spin. Every lyric in this song is carefully placed. If you’ve ever been genuinely mad at someone, you’ll relate to the songwriting here. The line about “hillbilly karma” is amazing. If you’ve ever heard someone say “bless your heart” to you, trust me you are not actually being “blessed.” This song has a lot of phrases that not everyone will get, but if you get them… you’ve probably lived a pretty hard life, too. It’s great songwriting and a sentiment that is far too relatabl ..read more

Theo Kandel – “Lunch” -Theo Kandel is one of those artists who has entered into the “almost automatic yes” category. It’s easy to hear why when you click play on this song. It’s clear, engaging, and has a mood that makes the listener instantly feel at peace. The nostalgic lyrics remind me of a few important people in my own life. The subtle atmospheric elements do a great job of allowing Kandel’s relatable lyrics to resonate beautifully. I love everything about this song, honestly. Alex Blue – “There’s Always Something” -The acoustic guitar work on this song is good, but the vocal is gorgeous ..read more

Wax Owls – “Overpriced Bullets” -From the first time I clicked play on this track I got some early 90s alt rock vibes (in the vein of Oasis). I love the phrasing and style of the song. It feels like it’s got a familiar energy. The effect on the electric guitars definitely has an intentional alt rock element to it. The effect on the vocal on the chorus is meant to intentionally soar over the rest of the production. I like that it has this bright pop energy in the chord progression, all while feeling like a sound that wouldn’t fit into a conventional top 40 slot. It’s a great encapsulation of wh ..read more

Joel D’Aubin – “Come Home” -This is a song about hard work and dedication. The instrumentation is a bit more chill than the Americana we’ve been curating lately, but I really liked the vocal harmonies here. There’s a whole atmospheric vibe about the song that makes it resonate. The lyrics are encouraging and supportive, which we are definitely happy to support here. If you have someone to be blessed to “come home” to, this song will feel good. It sure does for me. Kiefer Luttrell – “Every Shade of Blue” -If you like old fashioned folk music in the vein of Woody Guthrie or even later artists l ..read more