Author: Alisa Isela

Attonbitus

Photo Courtesy of Attonbitus’ Instagram

“Next Time Around” is an iridescent homage to reggae with groovy melodies and matter-of-fact lyrics criticizing the oh so terrible silent treatment. Attonbitus naturally integrates poetry into their music while maintaining a transparency that many artists seem to struggle with. The band avoids over-complicating their lyrics to deliver a story that’s somewhat relatable and easy to understand.

Towards the end of the track the sound morphes a bit to embrace progressive rock, an adjustment that keeps the song from becoming stale. “Next Time Around” is a little on the longer side, so introducing a more energized tone was a brilliant way to keep listeners engaged while maintaining that same undercurrent of a Jamaican sound. 

“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

ZXO

Photo Courtesy of the Facebook of ZXO

ZXO’s “Silver Parade” is a sweet, soft-sung ballad that hits all the right notes. The track blends velvety vocals with potent guitar work to create a sound that is both inviting and personal. Although the song’s melody comes off as a bit sorrowful, the lyrics give way to a happier message about turning towards the sun and soaking in the rays of love.

ZXO is fortunately a psychedelic rock group out of the midwest who isn’t afraid to show off more experimental music, so it’s always nice to see them churn out a more relaxed track every now and then. We hope to hear more radical tunes from self-proclaimed yurt-rockers Ryan Brewer, Teddy Lerch, Garrick Nelson, and Gabe Gerhardt soon! Stay tuned.

“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Leebone Phillips

Photo Courtesy of Phillips’ Facebook

Tenderness runs through the veins of “Before the Flood” like a pulsing river increasing in intensity. Every lyric and chord creates an emotional depth that is both charismatic and engaging. With the strumming of a banjo and the shaking of a tambourine, Liam Eaton AKA Leebone Phillips grows in nostalgia as he sings of his plight as a zealous over-thinker.

The song reminds us of what honest down-home country-folk is supposed to sounds like while expanding on the genre with subtle hints of lo-fi pop. The track is traditional folk, yet with a refreshing twist — it feels as if it came directly from the mouths of storytellers crowded around a smoldering campfire. 

“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Tender Glue

Photo Courtesy of Tender Glue’s Instagram

Tender Glue softly sings us into an alternative haze on his fresh track “Rudy”, a song characterized by wonderful guitar work and faint vocals.

The track carries a certain element of emotion to it, but I can’t quite place my finger on what that emotion is. It seems that “Rudy” wants to gently point you towards a feeling but doesn’t want to dictate your experience with the music.

“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Nicky William

Photo Courtesy of Nicky William’s Facebook

Nicky William is a force to be reckoned with. Since his debut single “Wake Up” set him on a path towards stardom in 2014, the 19-year-old artist has continued to blend the all too familiar sound of folk with an upbeat glimmer of pop to deliver some truly memorable tracks.

Over the years William has spun tales of self-deprecation and longing while keeping his music down-to-earth and relatable. This, coupled with his deep, shaking vocals, has kept his sound rugged despite the pop undertones. The merging of these genres has given William the freedom to explore a new sonic landscape. He’s able to utilize both folk and pop to expand on the countless facets of the human experience.

William is fantastic at describing the odd eccentricities of life in a way that makes his listeners understand and empathize with his narrative. On his track “#1 Sad Guy”, William conveys feelings of twisted triumph, exhaustion, and even a bit of loneliness, but his very personal take on these emotions do not restrict his audience from feeling them with him. The song takes us on a journey of hollow victory through introspective lyrics and unique vocal work that leaves listeners both high-strung and chilled out. It’s truly a masterpiece of emotion that pays homage to the lore of folk while feeling like an entirely new beast, one that is both rough and lustrous.

William has the makings of a folk legend because he knows how to effectively utilize pop. He’s intelligent, he’s talented, and we can’t wait to hear how he’ll impress us next.

“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan