This edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks brings affecting soundscapes from artists Natalie Bouloudis, Jacob D. Edward, Giselle Parker, Stefan West, and Janet Devlin.
Natalie Bouloudis - Dream River
Natalie Bouloudis is a British singer-songwriter and musician. Known for her distinctly surreal, brooding blend of gothic rock, folk, and jazz influences, Bouloudis offers an out of the ordinary, immersive listening experience. The latest release, Dream River, presents a mystical, melancholy-soaked, moody sound that feels hauntingly beautiful, and transportive. Somber guitar melodies sway mesmerically like a cold breeze, while weighty bass melodies lead the sound forward. The gentle groove of the drums carries you along in its steady, slow current, while visceral vocal melodies, swelling string sections, and ghostly harmonies warp into a magnetic medium that is as inviting as it is enigmatic. Natalie Bouloudis’ powerful poise and intriguing ingenuity makes her a rare talent. Listen here!
Jacob D. Edward - En Route To The End
Jacob D. Edward is a folk singer-songwriter from the Netherlands. His music can be described as soothingly weightless yet imposingly profound, like a vivid, surreal day dream. The latest song, En Route To The End carries that same lightness and stripped back minimalism in its sound, but the lyricism looms tall and heavy with its exploration of mortality, the impermanence of life, and the absurdity of creation. The musical backdrop takes shape through soft, pensive, melancholic acoustic melodies, and gliding over these affecting notes is the commanding, emotive vocals of the singer. The vocal performance is everything; the pain, the angst, the disillusionment, the acceptance, and the bliss is all in there, in every ascending note and every crashing pause, the entirety of it delivered with impeccable and impressive vocal control and skill. En Route To The End is a spell-binding, thought-provoking release. Listen here!
Giselle Parker - Fine
Giselle Parker is a singer-songwriter and performer from Edmonton, Alberta. Her sound is inspired by the nostalgic hues of Camera Obscura and Karen Carpenter, presenting an evocative atmosphere that blends folk, rock, and pop. The latest release, Fine, is a standout single from her sophomore EP, Vine. Reflective guitar melodies color the music in somber, wistful shades. The gentle pace of the percussion and the intent strokes of guitar riffs adds to the calming, cathartic feel of the music. Narrating a profound, ethereal story, the song finds a way to lighten your spirit through the rich sonic textures and radiant swells. Giselle’s mature, masterful vocals draw pristine, powerful melodies that penetrate all the way into your heart and soul. Fine is a compelling, memorable track from Giselle Parker. Listen here!
Stefan West - ALL FOR NOTHING
Stefan West is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Combining introspective, honest themes with a power-packed, rousing sound, Stefan’s soundscapes can both feed the fire in your soul and soothe the ache in your heart. Diverging from the strong folk, punk, rock blend that he is known for, in the latest release, ALL FOR NOTHING, Stefan shows a softer, contemplative, and vulnerable side to his artistry. In this song, he delves into disconcerting yet deeply relatable existential questions about identity, purpose, choices, and the value of life. He questions if the beauty and struggles of the human experience ultimately culminates in fulfillment or if it was all for nothing. The soundscape forms through warm acoustic strums, luminous piano chords, and Stefan’s emotionally-charged, expressive vocals. This is definitely one of those songs that will make you come back to experience the healing and hurting all over again. Listen here!
Janet Devlin - Red Flag
Janet Devlin creates a captivating blend of Irish charm and country rock in her invigorating, inviting soundscapes. With her personal and candid lyricism, each song bursts with energy and emotion, absorbing you into a world of relatable stories and moving sounds. The latest release, Red Flag explores the irresistible allure of a passionate romance, but with a twist. Here, the love spans between someone that seemingly ticks off all the right boxes but only, you seem to be the red flag. Janet brings the exuberance, thrill, and magnetic attraction of such a connection in the soundscape through the radiant, richly-textured instrumentation, lively rhythms, and expressive vocal melodies. The music skips, struts, and sways with the same enthusiasm and sense of adventure that fuels complicated yet all-consuming romances. Listen to the song here!
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