Introducing a pair of Song of the Year candidates, both in the folk genre, from Mia Wilson and JOURNEYGLO – Ear To The Ground Music

Mia Wilson – “Face To Face”
-As I told a dear friend, “Ronstadt, Carpenter, and this young lady…” I mean that, too. Mia Wilson’s vocal is on par with some of the greatest of the mid-20th century. I also think repeatedly of the music of Carole King when I listen to this track. Everything from the orchestral background to the quality of the vocal all feels like that golden age of folk-meets-pop music. There’s a lovely sentiment in the lyrics, too, about the way that you really connect with someone when you meet face to face. It’s intimate and exudes classiness. It feels and sounds like an absolute time capsule for the mid to late 70s and I’m happy to feature this quality music here. I’ll most likely be writing about this one again in December when I write up the songs of the year.

JOURNEYGLO – “Bright In My Eyes”
-From the first poetic line about the moon, I was entranced by this remarkable song. There’s a simplicity in the composition that really allows the “girl and her piano” style to shine. The vocal is outstanding and the piano feels like just the right amount of accompaniment. It’s the type of song that brings peace to your spirit with a single listen. This is a timeless style that feels like you’ve heard it before and like it’s brand new all at once. I can’t even come up with a comparison because I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a sound that feels so soft and approachable. I feel about this song the way I felt about Dodie Clark’s “one last time, please.” It’s intimate and inviting in the most delightful way. I won’t get into the spiritual dimension here, but concepts like the “wrong side of the sky” and the concept itself of the stars shining bright in your eyes… are all inherently spiritual and deeply powerful. This is a wonderful track and I’m sure I’ll be revisiting it again in December for the songs of the year list.

Image courtesy: JOURNEYGLO IG