Lonely Mountain – “Night Passage”
-I don’t typically approve songs with a longer introduction, so when I do it’s because the rest of the song is SO GOOD I couldn’t pass it up. That’s the case with this outstanding track from Lonely Mountain. It carries some of the characteristics of what I call artful folk. It’s mysterious and causes the listener to lean in. This isn’t your parents’ “ho hey” folk, if you know what I mean. There’s a real edge to this sound that balances out the characteristic vocal with the staccato guitar strum pattern alongside the crooning violin work. The full composition demands the attention of the listener; this makes me feel the way I did when I first found Fleet Foxes (and I mean it). Give it a spin. (It’s also over 6 minutes long, so that’s another reason that it’s more in the artful folk realm.)
Taylor Bickett – “Wild Dogs”
-The first line of this song hits so hard. “You call me stupid, then kiss my skin with the same mouth.” Ok, wow, this is an emotionally heavy song with a delicate acoustic guitar part that really sets the stage for tender, vulnerable message. “Was there something about my fear that made you feel braver? I don’t want to think you cruel by nature.” Each line just gets better than the last. It’s so intricate and well written. It’s truly high art and expressive writing. If it’s any indication of how I feel about the song, I sent it to a dear friend (who is also a creative writing professor) who I know will love the imagery and cutting power of the song. This is an outstanding piece of songwriting.
Vilmar – “Coffee”
-This song is an example of why I love the submission process on SubmitHub. I had never heard of Vilmar, but it was next in line so I clicked play. I was instantly captivated by the rhythmic guitar work. The more I listened, I felt some layers that seemed different than what I expected. As the vocal entered and the lyrics unfolded, I felt myself drawn to this narrative that seemed to off a story of the complexity of life. “Stand down, care for your own. Skies are turning red in your TV show.” There’s a few ways to take that, but I think it’s an invocation to worry about yourself and your people. Don’t stress out about things you can’t control. But beyond that, I just like the honest vibes of the song. Maybe it’s just because I, too, enjoy a good coffee with two sugars every morning. This is a delightfully human song.