Let’s not mess around here: fans of Americana will be absolutely smitten after just one listen to this EP from alt-country duo Lewis & Leigh. Their third release in under a year, ‘Hidden Truths’ has a heart wrenchingly gorgeous sound, bringing a perfect blend of country and folk, with a smidgeon of a Wilco-ish influence in the guitar department. Coming together from solo projects, hearing Alva Leigh and Al Lewis harmonise is to hear something natural and pure – voices that belong together as much as Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, as Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and these four songs have the natural flow of performers who sound as if they’ve been playing together for years. The fact that at the time of this release Al Lewis and Alva Leigh had only been writing and performing together for a short time only makes ‘Hidden Truths’ all the more remarkable.
Tag Archives: folk
MOCK DEER – How We Used To Live EP
Mock Deer is a London based duo specialising in stripped down, DIY alt-folk sounds. Their second release, 2015’s ‘How We Used To Live’, recorded with members of Dead Flowers, is a sometimes low-key and often thoughtful affair. Its four songs almost place the listener in the middle of Mock Deer’s studio space, the recordings bring a natural live sound; it almost feels as if it’s allowing us access on private time as the musician spins timeless yarns with a smart, no frills musical backdrop.
ZERO SHE FLIES – The River EP
Zero She Flies is a folk-rock band from Bristol formed from the ashes of pop-rock outfit Mermaid Kiss and although all three members had been involved with the previous band at various stages, the first recordings from ZSF feel very much like a new beginning. The band made their debut in May 2015 with standalone track ‘Small Mercy’, giving listeners a fair idea of what to expect from upcoming material. Their first EP, ‘The River, released a couple of months later, features four tracks associated with water, thus making it a concept release of sorts. That’s concept in a “linking theme” sense as opposed to carrying a definite narrative stretched out to its thinnest point over a double elpee, so those looking for more Broadway lambs, walls built from arrogance and general pomposity can swiftly move along… Stoking up the folk elements, on these four numbers, Zero She Flies often carry sparkles of Caravan and Renaissance, but always with their own twist, and it would be fair to say that listeners who enjoy the occasional folky lilt and a strong female voice will find an affinity within at least three of these four tunes.
NATHAN EDWARDS – Far Away From Here
In 2011, Dakota based singer songwriter Nathan Edwards released his debut album ‘New Season’, a heartfelt collection of acoustic folk-pop tunes with a big heart. Issuing a selection of Stephen Foster penned material as a stop gap, Edwards then set about working on his second collection of new, original material. Having then taken some four years to create ‘Far Away From Here’, Edwards certainly couldn’t be accused of rushing…and the care taken in ensuring this second proper release is of a high standard is evident right from the get go.
WORRY DOLLS – Burden EP
The pairing of Zoe Nichol and Rosie Jones is a special one, indeed. Armed with acoustic guitars, a banjo, a mandolin and a reasonable amount of stomp, the UK singer-songwriters bring a little backporch charm to the drab city suburbs. On this, their second EP, the vocal harmonies are consistently strong; their gift for rootsy hooks shining through each passing moment.