A great Year for Indie Folk
It truly has been a magnificent year for the genre of Indie-Folk. With piles of great releases in the genre (and sub-genres), I thought I would briefly discuss some of my favourites below.
Fleet Foxes - “Shore”
One of two Fleet Foxes albums of the year, “Shore” rises to new highs for the band. This album simultaneously presents the same vibe from etc groups as their last works, but in a new context. The vocal followed piano harmonies in “Sunblind”, create a sense of movement and mystery to the track. Tried and tested guitars found on “A Long Way Past The Past”, is reminiscent of previous work of theirs and other great folk acts like The Dodos. “Maestranza” falls back on the snare heavy beat that pushes the track forward. Some true beauty can also be found in the melancholy “I’m Not My Season”.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - “New Fragility”
It has been a while since I have come across an album where I truly love every track. This is one of my favourite albums of the year. It is hopeful and melancholy. Emotive. Powerful. “Where They Perform Miracles” chugs along with the right level throughout. It has a wonderful story, a gorgeous fragile vocal that inspires nostalgia and guitars that manage to push the singer-songwriter feeling more than it should. “Thousand Oaks” features a marching band style drum line and shimmery guitars. What more could you want from a tune to lift you up? The strings in “Innocent Weight” are reminiscent of Sigur Ros, in the best kind of way. The piano and guitar mixture hits right and feels like a Mountain Goats tune. The best.
The War On Drugs - “I Don’t Want To Live Here Anymore”
This album took me by surprise as to how much I would like it. There are some stand out tracks that tell tales long and short. “I Don’t Want To Wait” starts with an electro drum sound that moves to a guitar and piano folk-ballad with lovely vocal harmonies. “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” was the track that got me hooked here. Big cheesy guitar arpeggios with vampy synths? Yes please! The vocal links to Dylan and the wholesome story fills me with hope. The moving piano of “Living Proof” makes for a great travelling folk tale. A beautiful album.
Pushing the Boundaries Of the Genre: sub-genre additions
Big Red Machine - “How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?”
This album was so unexpected when looking at the last offering from Big Red Machine. A load of awesome featuring artists and a stripped back, acoustic approach. This super-collaboration has some big days in front of it. “Brycie” is simple, but puts a smile on my face every time. How could it not? “Hutch” is a track reminiscent of the National’s last album, with its own twist. “Birch” has the right mix of a track caught between minimalist techno and folk. “Phoenix” feels like where you want to be.
Youth Lagoon - “The Year of Hibernation Bonus Tracks - Single
This little single addition was a moving affair. Ideas from the last album sing to mind; and boy, that was one of my favourite all time albums. “Goodbye Again” has a way of bringing a tear to my eyes and make me feel hopeful, simultaneously. The upbeat guitars contrast the emotional, fragile vocals. “Bobby” is a back to form sound for Youth Lagoon. Big production sounds with complex timbres, with vocals way back in the mix. Haunting.
The Killers - “Pressure Machine”
An interesting output from The Killers. The album that is filled with interview extracts, tells a concise narrative. A lot of people have said the Killers are losing their edge, but I think they have a subtle artiness to their ageing rockstar feel. Some jaunty synth vibes from “Quiet Town”, show the band is still channeling the energy of Springsteen. “West Hills” has a lovely mandolin line and simple hypnotic piano backing that reinforce the story being presented. “Getting By” is a wonderful closer to this work.
Cassandra Jenkins - “An Overview on Phenomenal Nature”
Cassandra Jenkins’ “An Overview on Phenomenal Nature”, shows what can be achieved in sub 35 minutes. This concise work has a range of moods. Beautiful jazzy elements on tracks like “New Bikini”. Recorded electro-acoustic elements, poetism of Laurie Anderson in “Hard Drive”. Folky tales and emotive concepts throughout the album but is highlighted in tracks like “Ambiguous Norway”. Standard but nice folky acoustic guitars of “Cross hairs”. “The Ramble” is a refreshing soundscape filled with nature sounds that invokes the radiant sun at the end.
