From lilting violin-guitar duets to pillowy vocals, this edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks features JCCutter, Spencer Graham, Gerry Farrow & Rue Randal, Alastair Gordon and Lou Richards
1.JCCutter – We Live Through it All
‘We Live Through it All’ is what you get when you blend softness, bright colours and pizzazz together. With a bright fusion of pop, rock with a hint of country, the track brings us a soul-stirring and sincere reminder of resilience. The beginning features a guitar-violin duet, which effortlessly leads us into a blend of instrumentation highlighting the vocals. The arrangement balances out each section while at the same time creating a smooth flow between each segment of the song. The strings, being one of the highlights, act as an emotional guideline through the verses, emphasizing the theme of love and heartache. If you’re looking for an uplifting song, this is a good recommendation for you!
2. Spencer Graham- BLACK
With a rustic take on the country and pop genres, Spencer Graham brings us ‘BLACK’. Much like its title suggests, ‘BLACK’ is bold, powerful and packed with colours and emotion. It’s earthy use of vocal techniques, acoustic guitar hooks and instrumentation brings in authenticity, allowing the rawness of the singer’s emotions to fully come through. The strings and guitar duet at the interlude brings in a satisfying ‘twang’ which leads perfectly into the final segment, which is dynamic and energetic. Along with that, with the production filter being toned down, there’s a vintage charm to the track, with each instrument sounding like they’re seated right next to you.
3. Gerry Farrow, Rue Randall- Feel This Way Again
Another song to add to the ‘rustic charm’ playlist is Gerry Farrow and Rue Randall’s latest track. Its fluttery guitar hook is juxtaposed with tinkling bells, giving it an air of whimsy, and with that as the base foundation, the two lead singers paint a nostalgic picture of a late evening music session by the beach. The composition lies within the folk and country genres with an essence of blues, and the track overall brings a unique take on the theme of newfound love. The slight rasp and raw textures of the vocals add to the spicy flavour of the song, giving it more flair. As the energy builds up, the arrangement gradually onboards a more atmospheric buildup, making for a great way to end the song.
4. Alastair Gordon- Promenade
Alastair Gordon’s latest track offers a fresh take on life’s many ironies and absurdities, juxtaposing its theme with a laid-back, chill and friendly disposition. The lyrics teeter on the edge of humorous and at times slightly dark, and are sung nonchalantly, ever so slightly leaning into the humour element. The instrumentation is crunchy and down-to-earth, with its drawly guitars, drums and violin, while the cushy vocal textures, quite reminiscent of Michael Bublé, bring in a great balance between bright and subdued. The song, with its wit and charm, is a great addition to the trad music scene.
5. Lou Richards- Murmuration
‘Murmuration’ is like a gentle breeze that resembles, like the calm after the storm, where everything quietly goes back to normal. Its instrumentation is gentle and tranquil, and is paired well with its soft, feathery vocals. The shimmering guitar hooks pull you into a meditative trance with its licks and hooks building up a movement that creates a placid underbed, like its titular ‘murmuration’, and layered on top of this are the hazy vocals taking you through the song. With a few tonal shifts between bright and airy to sombre and dewy, we get an overall dynamic and well-structured balance, making the song a great listening experience from the folk acoustic genre.
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