After a few years of running a music blog, you begin to pick up on trends and take note of what genres and styles most frequently appear in your inbox. Much to my delight a plethora of great Americana and dream pop tracks end up being sent my way, but it is rare indeed to find a song that so perfectly balances both styles. Inspired by the likes of Sufjan Stevens and The War On Drugs, the new single from Sam Valdez ‘Farther Away’ boasts blissful shimmering soundscapes paired with honest heartland folk vibes. Sam’s dreamy vocals are the kind that you can just get lost in. Having grown up on the edge of the Nevada desert, it’s not hard to see the effect it had on Sam’s songwriting. ‘Father Away’ radiates warmth like the desert sun itself, all the while dancing like a mirage on the horizon and luring you deeper under its spell.
sam valdez
Top Tracks: Sam Valdez – It’s Alright
Sounding akin to Angel Olsen fronting The War On Drugs, and with hints of Fear Fun era Father John Misty thrown in for good measure, the new single from this Vegas born singer/songwriter is sure to be the kind of song that people have been waiting all their lives for without even realising it. The cinematic and bittersweet ‘It’s Alright’ is top class indie material that gives some of the scene’s heavy hitters a run for their money. Drawing influences from indie rock, folk, dream pop and Americana, Sam Valdez has all the makings of something very special. With tracks of this calibre it’s not hard to imagine Sam releasing a much beloved and critically acclaimed album in the not too distant future.
Belwood Music 