POSTS TAGGED : Singer-Songwriter

Anderson – ‘Makes Me Feel For You’

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Dubliner Daniel Anderson – aka Anderson – has returned with his first new material since the release of his beautiful and beguiling debut album Patterns in 2015; a stand-out record from that year, in Ireland or anywhere else for that matter.

Anderson’s latest, ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is in keeping with the extremely high standards we’ve come to expect from him. It is a simply gorgeous, meticulously crafted song influenced by late ’60s pop and early ’70s singer-songwriting. Its sullen, late night ponderous feel is brushed aside as the lush psych-sonics and guitar twang come to the fore, taking us far, far away. ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ provides the best possible follow-up and transition to Patterns that we could have asked for. Not only does it retain all the qualities which marked out his previous work while gently (and perfectly) introducing some new and glorious elements, it is also one of the finest pieces of work he’s produced to date. If you have a spare 2min 33secs in your day, ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is the best way to fill that void, and will leave you better for it.

While there’s no release date as yet confirmed, Anderson is currently working on a follow-up to Patterns but ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is plenty to be getting on with. Listen to it below.

Alanna Eileen – ‘Knowledge’

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Every now and then we encounter a song so tantalisingly brilliant, that it stops us in dead in our tracks, instantly demanding your full and undivided attention.

Once such track is the divine new single from New Zealand-via-Australia singer-songwriter, Alanna Eileen. Entitled ‘Knowledge’, it is incredibly evocative, pure and beautifully haunting folk music. The first thing that hits you is Eileen’s pure-toned and ethereal voice. Delicate but with an understated strength too, it is paired beautifully with finger picking and acoustic guitar, gentle harmonies, fleeting keys and a country-tinged ambience. These elegant, beautiful arrangements are not over complicated, and provide a stunning canvas for Eileen’s stunning vocals to bewitch and beguile. Enchanting and ethereal, this one showcases incredible songwriting prowess and captivating voice.

Take a listen to ‘Knowledge’ below:

Atlas Cedar – ‘In Hollywood’

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Atlas Cedar is the moniker of Glaswegian musician and songwriter Chris Syme.

Syme’s musical influences take in everything from Syd Barrett to Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon to Yes, and more; leaving us with a delightfully charming blend of Americana and folk infused guitar-pop. It is something born out with the latest release from Atlas Cedar is new single ‘In Hollywood’. A layered guitar number, it certainly tips its hat to the 60s, with Syme’s reflective, hushed vocals and hazy instrumentation filling the song with warm and inviting vibes. A breezy jangle with beautiful, irresistible melodies, what’s not to like?

‘In Hollywood’ is out now via RIP Records, the 5th in their new single series, you can sample its aural delights below.

If this one is to your liking, be sure to check out more of Atlas Cedar here.

Conor Mason Returns With New Single ‘On The Surface’

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Derry singer-songwriter Conor Mason has revealed his intention to release a new EP early next year.

While Mason already has three albums under his belt, his last release (solo that is) was 2012’s beautiful and assured LP, Standstill. New material from Mason is long overdue and joining this news is the wonderful single, ‘On The Surface’. It seems Mason is picking up where he left off, having found his space on the musical landscape, not dissimilar to that occupied by Elliot Smith, Villagers or Matthew Jay. ‘On The Surface’ gently trickles by, amid a soothing sea of soft lilting vocals, whispering lyrical delicacies, subtle instrumentation and twinkling synth. Permeated by a rich and comforting warmth, a hint of melancholy and dash of uncertainty – it is a wonderfully crafted five minutes, reminding us how much a master Mason is when it comes to wistful whispering, harmony and hook. For a long, long time, Mason has been one of Ireland’s finest – if somewhat overlooked – artists and delectable talents. Lets hope the latter gets rectified in 2017.

There is no concrete date for the forthcoming EP’s release, just sometime, early in the new year. For now, you can listen to ‘On The Surface’ below. Prepare to be bedazzled.

Introducing: Our Hero From Horse Country

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Our Hero From Horse Country is the new project from Knoxville Morning / Band On An Island rabble-rouser, Ciaran Dwyer.

Under this new moniker, Dwyer will release a trilogy of solo, acoustic albums. The first of which of is ‘A Horse Walks Into A Bar’, a carefully curated a selection of 11 acoustic jams that celebrate his favourite Newbridge pub, Con Cummins. Each song has a relevance to his favourite local boozer, either written there, sang there or have some sort of sentimental attachment to the place. Recorded in a single day in the heart of Horse Country itself – The Curragh of Kildare – with Karl O’Neill (who also mixed it with Rubber Keogh). There are some old tunes, some new ones and some cover versions, including one of his all-time favourites ‘Blue Murder’ by Brian Brannigan. Introducing his new project, Dwyer has shared a first single ‘Buster Blue Eyes’ – a personal favourite I must hasten to add. Ponderous and reflective, ‘Buster Blue Eyes’ shifts seamlessly through the gears, from a gentle acoustic strum to a stirring, rousing and triumphant crescendo. A side-project created with love, care and attention and as far as intros go, ‘Buster Blue Eyes’ is perfect.

You can listen to ‘Buster Blue Eyes’ below. And if you’re down with that, the whole A Horse Walks Into A Bar album is here.