These LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks offer acoustic, folk, and country listens; featuring Becca Stefanson, Sue Horowitz, Daniel Baylis, and more!
1. Beeca Stefanson – How I Feel
Becca Stefanson’s How I Feel is quiet and subtle while still creating a lasting impression. Prioritising honesty and vulnerability, the track’s acoustic instrumentals paired with Stefanson’s soulful, raw voice create an atmosphere that’s simultaneously calming and stirring. With lyrics like “It seems like the best part of me was simply loving you / I wanna feel complete again, and I do when I’m with you,” it’s clear that Stefanson has poured energy into the songwriting – and it’s clear that it’s paid off. How I Feel is confident and touching: the work of an artist who’s found their sound, and knows how to use it!
2. Sue Horowitz – Keep the Light On, Cordelia
A collaboration with Sloan Wainwright, Sue Horowitz’s latest album, Rainy Nights and Rearview Windows, opens with the light and upbeat Keep the Light On, Cordelia. With warm vocals and instrument layers, the track is tinged with a folk-inspired sound that makes for a listening experience that’s bright and airy while still encouraging reflection and introspection. The central refrain (“Keep the light on, Cordelia / Keep the light on...”) is one that sticks with you, especially in context with some of the other lines (“Cordelia has the power to illuminate the dark / The challenge we’ve been given in this broken world we live in is to recognise the spark…”). Give it a listen here!
3. Daniel Baylis – You Remind Me of the Wild
In times when so much love appears fleeting and superficial, Daniel Baylis expresses a love so deep that only comparing it to wild, untamed forces of nature can come close. “Like an ocean with its depth and its blues, like the steady rhythm of the tide / Like the darkness, midnights and the moons, you remind me of the wild,” Baylis sings on this song, grounded on a simple acoustic guitar and heart-touching strings. Every element of this song, from the backing instruments to the vocal delivery, is kept understated – like it’s whispering to you, and only you. The accompanying music video adds so many more layers to this already profoundly moving song; using vintage footage from British Columbia, it renders this vast, abstract feeling into something tangible. Listen here!
4. Eric Osterhout – Hot Fiddle Player (And A Steel Guitar)
Eric Osterhout flaunts his Texan roots on Hot Fiddle Player (And A Steel Guitar), a track that’s unmistakably grounded in Americana energy. True to its name, the song opens with an evocative fiddle that’s soon joined by the other layers of instrumentation (including, yes, a steel guitar), which transports you to country landscapes; lines like “Two-lane sound with a midnight soul / Keepin’ it country – proud and whole / You can stack up amps or drop a bass line / But nothin’s like a fiddle’s mournful cry,” only immerse you in that atmosphere further. Reinforcing the fact that art is at its best when it’s personal, this song deserves a listen!
5. Ramblin’ Ricky Tate – Drifting
Alabama-based Ramblin’ Ricky Tate’s latest album, The Magnolia Sessions, opens with Drifting, a song that sounds exactly like what it describes (“I’m drifting down that river of whiskey, my dear / Hoping that I’ll see you again,” as the lyrics go) – smooth, raw, and real. The song doesn’t bother with studio sheen and polish; instead, it stays true to its natural sound, creating a listening experience that feels like you’re sitting in a singing circle somewhere in the countryside. The track effortlessly carries folk and country sounds along with far-reaching Southern Gothic influences – from the song itself to the cover art, this touch makes its presence known, leading to a wonderful musical experience. Check it out here!
Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!
If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here.