Three new tracks that bring out the best in contemporary folk styling – Ear To The Ground Music

Lo Stone – “Toward the Sun”
-There’s a delightful simplicity to the composition style here. The keys, the guitar, the percussion, and a pure vocal keep the track moving along nicely. There’s a clarity in the production mix for the vocal that makes it stand out right away. The lyrical sentiment of wanting to keep going for the sun and to keep working toward being exceptional resonates nicely. There’s a comfortable energy to the track that makes it perfect for a driving or chill playlist for late summer and early fall. I appreciate the brightness in the instrumentation that makes the vocal pop even more. It’s a great style.

Leo Lovechild – “Everybody Else”
-There’s a chill genre-blending sound here from Leo Lovechild that feels like it captures some elements of folk, Americana, and even roots country. The end result is a chill, engaging sound that pulls the listener in right away. Lovechild has one of those vocals that makes you want to pay attention. He’s a natural storyteller and his sense of phrasing is delightful. The core lyrical question is, “is it everybody else or is it me?” The theme is self actualization, an increasing self awareness of why it is that things happen the way they do in your life. It’s a philosophical theme with a cool, introspective energy that I really appreciate. It just feels like a calm and engaging bit of Americana folk songwriting.

Remy Smith – “Highway Dreamer”
-I’ve been writing about folk music for several years and this type of singer songwriter fare will always win me over. Smith sings with a chill, unhurried sway that feels comfortable, almost like a dance in and of itself. The swinging rhythm keeps moving, but doesn’t make the listener feel forced in anyway. The lyric “I could have loved you if you stuck around,” is key, explaining that this is a story of a relationship that didn’t quite work out but had promise. It’s not exactly heartache, but more of a “missed connection” vibe to it. There’s an air or sentiment here that things will be fine, but it’s ok to name these feelings where they are. This really connects with me and I enjoy sitting in this vibe a great deal. Fans of acoustic folk with a pop bent will really enjoy this track.

Image courtesy: Remy Smith IG