The best tracks that have come our way in the past week or so and that we highly recommend listening to…
Burs – Blackflies
I usually lean toward grittier and rawer types of music here, and the Canadian band Burs offers a more accessible sound. What immediately drew me in was their strong sense of melody and the ability to create an authentic, emotional atmosphere. Whether it’s the beautiful vocals or the rich instrumental layers, there’s a lot to appreciate. I happened to be listening to this track just after learning about the passing of a friend, which made the experience very sad, but also somehow powerful and soothing…
Blackflies is part of a double single, paired with the equally excellent track Soil and I’m really looking forward to the full album.
Skinny Dippers – Breathe
Staying in a slightly poppier vein, I must mention a new track by Skinny Dippers. I praised them in the early days of this blog, then they slipped off my radar for a while – but they’re back this year with new singles. The second one, Breathe, comes highly recommended.
Sitting somewhere between indie folk and pop, the song radiates a gentle energy and uplifting spirit, even as it carries undertones of melancholy. I especially love the instrumental section around 1:15 and how it transitions seamlessly back into the verse – just wonderful.
William Patrick Owen – N1
I’m wrapping up today’s roundup with a track that also carries a folk-inspired, laid-back atmosphere with a generous dose of melancholy. Acoustic guitar, a whispery vocal, field recordings of nature and birdsong – everything blends into a soft, meditative piece.
William Patrick Owen cites influences like Nick Drake and Sufjan Stevens, and this track reminded me of A Beginner’s Mind, my beloved album by Stevens and Angelo De Augustine (which I once brought home on cassette from Japan). The production is excellent, and the track’s understated gentleness stays with you.
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