Have you ever gone for a walk at sunset? You could be walking along the most unassuming path, strolling past scenery you’ve seen a million times and take for granted, yet by some trick of the light it feels like a whole new world. The trees and houses glimmer with golden light, the clouds awash with colour like some impressionist painting, and you’re greeted at every turn by a chorus of birdsong. I get that exact same feeling listening to Sophie Morgan. This Cheshire born singer/songwriter doesn’t carve out a new path, she follows the trails carved out by generations of artists before her, but does so in a way shines some fresh perspective on it and makes it feel as though you’re experiencing things again for the first time. ‘Sons & Daughters’ is the kind of track that runs through your head when you just take a moment to yourself to watch the world drift by, while the delicate and dreamy ‘Lemony Girl’ reminds me of Billie Marten. Her mature songwriting on tracks like ‘Above You’ is remarkable for an artist so early in their career, while the Nick Drake inspired ‘Black Dog’ shows Sophie at her very best, her angelic vocals rising at its climax to meet the elegant swell of strings.
Fans of Billie Marten, Jade Bird, Hannah Grace and Freya Ridings should check out Sophie’s new EP Sons & Daughters.
A short while ago I made myself a playlist of my favourite submissions I’ve received while running this blog. It was only after I finished and took a step back to admire it that I noticed something; there were more songs from Swedish acts than anywhere else in the world. Listening to the debut EP from Gothenburg based indie trio Overjoyed just further fuels the thought that there must be something in the water over there. A Look of Fear, a Lack of Feeling seems to just appear out of nowhere to steal the show as one of the finest indie releases of 2018. The bright riffs and exceptional bass on ‘Downer’ duck and weave around each other like they’re locked in some high stakes race, while the bittersweet ‘Taxi Driver’ feels like an energetic ode to The Cure. The piano balladry of ‘Love Me Louder’ offers a more sombre and stripped back feel, before launching straight into the upbeat and ephemeral ‘Lights’. ‘Sweetheart’ takes a darker approach with it’s menacing opening riff and ‘Skin’ builds from a sparse opening to a thunderous climax complete with raw, impassioned vocals and emphatic drums. Overjoyed’s brand of “sadpop” offers infectious melodies, deeper meanings, and above all the need to just have more of it in your life.
We’re blessed to be living in the golden age of EPs. When they’re done right they have just as much sway over the listener as a full album, albeit condensed down into a potent little package. Quality always beats quantity, and there’s no shortage of quality to be found in the latest release from Toronto based artist Claire Coupland. Her new EP On The Other Side has, in just five tracks, surpassed most albums I’ve heard this year. Lead single ‘Bound For Love’ reminds me of ‘Unlike Any Other’ from Belwood favourite Foy Vance in its softer moments, but there’s a real momentum in the rhythm that pushes the song forwards and brings you along for the ride. ‘Love In Your Eyes’ offers some country vibes with its atmospheric steel guitar, Claire’s vocals steal the spotlight thanks to the sparse yet graceful arrangement of ‘Get Outta This Town’, while ‘This One’s For The Road’ boasts lush harmonies and a classic Americana feel. My personal highlight however would be the expressive bass tones and warm brass section of ‘Fleet Street’, reminding me in places musically of Dire Straits, and sounding like the perfect addition to any rainy day playlist. On The Other Side strikes me as one of the most memorable and consistent EPs of the year; a real delight, and one which I hope you’ll find a place in your heart for as I have.
You’d be amazed how many electronic artists I end up turning away, citing that the genre is not my cup of tea. But no matter how rare, rules always have exceptions. London based duo NothingAboutME are the latest electronic act to have caught me off-guard with their debut EP Inertia. Around the airy vocals of ‘Bluebell’, the electronics and guitar effects ripple like the surface of a lake in slow motion, while ‘Summer’s Rain’ contrasts the sparse expansive verses with the droning guitar of the chorus to offer real light and shade. The title track boasts some understated bass lines and subtle R&B vibes in its electronic flourishes, placing as much emphasis on the notes the band doesn’t play as the ones that they do, and the tripped out ‘That’s for You’ is like the peaceful sound of life underwater in some secluded tropical lagoon. Sarah Stanton and Joe Dworniak walk a fine line between experimental and accessible with this release, bringing a vast range of influences to bear beneath the banner of Sarah’s crystalline vocals and Joe’s immaculate production. If this EP is enough to lure in a serial electronica doubter such as myself then you know it must be good!
With Venice being regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and having been a centre for art and culture for centuries, naturally it’s safe to assume that in growing up there some of that magic will rub off on you. Italian singer/songwriter Jacapo Rosetto, performing under his stage name IAKO, has released a collection of songs every bit as grand, elegant and impressive as the classical architecture of his native city. His debut EP Queen of Balance offers refined piano and soaring falsettos and stands out as one of the best EPs of the year. ‘Paint’ opens with a delicate folk sound akin to Bon Iver before expanding into a bittersweet choral sound, while ‘Bloodbath’ is all about the build as its mighty crescendo comes crashing down upon you. Vocally the title track bares some similarity to Sam Smith, ‘Stones’ carries a hint of vaudevillian drama, while the highlight ‘Vanishing Point’ takes a more upbeat approach, complete with some fantastic bass tones, that ends up reminding me a little of Five For Fighting. Showcasing a rich and varied array of musical talents, this debut release from IAKO offers a finely crafted and memorable first impression.
On paper I shouldn’t like NeoRomantics’ new EP, but in reality this quartet from Tulsa, Oklahoma have proven to be one of the biggest surprises of the year. Though it has plenty of roots in contemporary indie, Homecoming also draws a lot of influence from noughties emo. I missed that phase growing up, and as such the music has never held any power over me, I’ve never felt a connection with it. In NeoRomantics I have finally found some understanding. Any band can pull together all the things you like and make a song you’d enjoy, not many bands can make you see music you never liked before in a new light.
I can’t remember the last time I stumbled across an EP as good as the debut release from this Oslo-based trio… if ever? With Distant Star, Spielbergs have captured more brilliance in just five tracks than many bands could manage across five whole albums. There’s a curious conflict at work here. This is a release that has emerged fully formed, all the insecurities that new bands usually face seem to have been cast aside, as they offer up nothing but the best for that all important first impression. Yet at the same time, you have a sense of where there’s room to grow, of how this stunning first release is just the steadfast foundation for something even greater.
Americana is a curious one. It’s a difficult genre to put into words, yet you know it instantly when you hear it, as though it’s naturally ingrained in your spirit. Even more curious is the fact that much of the best Americana doesn’t even come from the states, it’s something you find the world over. Stray just over the border into Canada for instance and you’ll find incredible artists like Delta Jackson who offer heartwarming heartland vibes that are up there with the best of them. The wanderlust inducing ‘Willin’ sounds like it was pulled straight from The Last Waltz, while ‘Rise & Fall’ showcases the timeless beauty of Delta’s voice. The chilled out ‘Gimme One More’ is like the soundtrack to a summer daydream, ‘Blue Ink’ recalls the likes of Joni Mitchell, while ‘It Comes Down’ offers a more contemporary twist in the vein of Ryan Adams. Songs like this, that capture the Americana sound so keenly, have an ageless feel. They could have been big hits 40 years ago, and 40 years from now they will be just as potent and heartwarming as they ever were.
Belwood Music 