This edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks will surprise you with its lilting tones and intimate setups, featuring artists The Kentucky Trust Fund, Eric Osterhout, Maria Mihailik, Audra Watt and Jackie Conn
1. The Kentucky Trust Fund – I’m Coming Back
A song that’ll take you through the landscapes of the Appalachian terrain with its rustic touches of the mandolin and earthy crunches, ‘I’m Coming Back’ is wildly catchy with a rhythm that draws you in, but also with its free-roaming vocals, untethered by the general flow of the song. There’s an endearing duo of leading lines drawn by the instrumental section and Sarah Houck’s singing. The song starts with earthy clinks of percussion instruments and Houck’s pristine vocals, followed by a delightful mandolin solo, one that features towards the end as well. Overall, an endearing track worth adding to your bluegrass and Americana playlists.
2. Eric Osterhout – The Stillness Before the Rain
Another great outdoorsy track with an almost Wordsworthian style of lyric, is Eric Osterhouth’s gentle track ‘The Stillness Before the Rain’. The song sits in the cosy corners of the Country/Americana genre, using a glistening set of synth notes, along with vocals that ooze nostalgia. With “Sittin’ on the tailgate watching clouds roll in…” the track has quite the intriguing opener that sets the tone, as the vocalist steps into storyteller mode, taking you through a calm landscape right before it starts to rain. The instrumentation feels like an exercise in mindfulness, as reflected in its lyrics, all-in-all making it a great track to sink into.
3. Maria Mihailik – Mary
A gorgeous vocal-driven track, ‘Mary’ is a soulful ballad of a piece, rendering a soft, intimate layer of melody lines onto a light, atmospheric underbed. Mihailik’s vocals are carefully placed, with a heartstring-tugging vibrato that drifts into a powerful, yet controlled quiver. The track begins with only a few hints of instrumentation before Mihailik’s vocals take over, and when the instrumental segment joins, it ties the whole composition together. The bass acts as a grounding melody, a subtle presence, yet adds to the quiet emotional weight of the track. Listen here-
4. Audra Watt – I’m Not Sorry
Audra Watt’s latest track is somewhat of a Gen Z anthem, with her unapologetic tone and lyrics. The indie song is a quiet embrace of humanity with all its flaws, where the artist’s approach is a polite assertion without the ‘anthemic release’ treatment. The resulting message feels warm and approachable, removing any cynical element associated with the theme, hammered home with lyrics “I’m the Duchess of daydreaming” and “for the first time, I’m not sorry”. The instrumentation is reflective of the welcoming tone set by the vocals, with its atmospheric vibe, perfectly matched with Watt’s velvety delivery.
5. Jackie Conn – Baking Day
‘Baking Day’ encapsulates all of Jakie Conn’s core memories and nostalgia in one endearingly uncomplicated and tender song. The lyrics are delightfully charming and poetic, with each line a short story from the artist’s life, such as “And it’s Sunday with my mother in the kitchen baking cakes”. The soft background tones of instrumentation add to the poetry of the scene, with brushes of chord arpeggiation and subtly bright and airy notes. Conn’s vocals are also satisfyingly gentle, with the mix maintaining her timbre of honey, dewy vocals. Overall, a uniquely and carefully crafted song that stays with you long after it ends.
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