“Only Idaho, Forever” by Harrison Lemke: Evocative, Melancholy Folk
“Only Idaho, Forever” by Harrison Lemke reflects on the mundanity of daily life. He sings about the boring, circling routines that are all somehow grounded and made comforting by their sense of place. “Last night everything froze over;/It’s back to work today/The cars warming up out in the weekday street:/the sound of someone else’s money […]
“Closer” by Christopher Green: Fresh, Vibrant Folk Rock
Christopher Green’s “Closer” is a really creative, exciting take on vintage folk rock. The track wears its influences proudly – The Band’s rich folk harmonies, some Bruce Springsteen confidence in the surefooted groove, and, most clearly of all, a strong dose of Wilco in all the creative, intricate textures. Yet it brings both a unique […]
“Lately, I Believe” by The Sarandons: A Bright Indie Rock Daydream
The Sarandons have dropped the soundtrack for your neon urban dream – and it’s called “Lately, I Believe.” The single is the result of a cosmic collaboration between Damian Coleman, Edumund Cummings, Craig Keeney, Phil Skot, and Dave Suchon – all of whom, aside from Skot, participate in the vocals of the production. (Sorry to […]
“Idlewild” by Mandy Brooks: A Heartfelt Reflection on Childhood
“Idlewild” by Mandy Brooks tells a heartfelt story of magical childhood memories that help adults get through the challenges of life. In her new country/folk song, Brooks describes the place her family gathered each summer growing up, and the way that sense of belonging somewhere helped her when she felt broken as an adult. “Every […]
“Cosmica” by Stevie Zita: A Space-Age Love Song
Stevie Zita’s Instagram features a “bathroom series” – acoustic covers of iconic indie pop and rock tunes recorded in his bathroom. These are lovely for several reasons – Zita’s wide, full vocals, emotional alt-rock strumming, and, most significantly for me, the bathroom itself. Anyone who’s done any home recording knows the sweet, special reverb of […]
“In My Dreams, A Perfect Chair” by Gawain and the Green Knight: Creative, Strange, Beautiful
“In My Dreams A Perfect Chair” is the new single from Brooklyn-based chamber folk duo Gawain and the Green Knight. It tells the unlikely and remarkably compelling story of a woodworking apprentice, so terrified of failure that she wants, on some base, fight-or-flight level, to quit – “Somebody tell me I’m not good at this […]
“Don’t Mind The Weather” by Sunflower Thieves: The Peaceful Promise of Nostalgia
It’s easy enough to evoke nostalgia through music. Music, after all, is primarily an auditory medium, which means it can hit you more immediately than a book or a movie: consider how a five-second snippet of a song from your childhood can bring you back to the backseat of your mom’s car on your way […]
“Brand New” by Sea Glass, Misty Boyce and Dripping Honey: Pure Chill
I’m just gonna say it: “Brand New” by Sea Glass deserves a spot on your Chill Hits playlist. Full stop. This warm, swaying three-minute track is a song to listen to at the beach, with sunlight sponging over your back. It’s quietly captivating, with gentle vocals and a rewarding rise and fall. The song features […]
“Lady” by Danny Addison: Lush, Lovely Indie Folk
Although my own ventures in romance have been far from idyllic at this point my life, I find myself no less able to appreciate the music of those who have found themselves a bit more successful than I. With the message remaining the same regardless of one’s own experience, these songs either serve as an […]
Rachel Efron’s “I Changed My Mind, I Want You”: Stellar Songcraft
Rachel Efron’s song “I Changed My Mind, I Want You,” is a clean, shining stand-out in Efron’s 2020 album, Human as I Came. In January of 2021, Efron’s album was noted as the number one folk add for college and community radio across the country, tied with the massively popular Andrew Bird. Efron’s appeal is […]
