folk

One of my favorite types of music is the kind where the melody and the beats are absolutely killer and the lyrics are basically poetry, but the theme of the song is a bit hard to interpret. The Staves fit perfectly into that category. A proper way to describe this band of sisters is like if Mumford and Sons and Haim had a musical baby, The Staves would be it.

These three sisters, Jessica, Camilla, and Emily, originate from Watford, Hertfordshire in the beautiful country of England. Their first EP, Facing West, was released in 2010, which was a perfect starting point for the band and their slow rise to fame. This EP also displayed each of their individual talents aside from singing, such as Camilla’s ukulele skills and their striking harmonies.

Though they are initially from across the pond, they have a bit of American influences such as gothic folk and hippie rock. Their most recent album, If I Was, was actually released in 2014 but has only gained legit fame this past year. The album is a great extension to their past EPs and first album. A personal favorite off the album is the first track, “Blood I Bled.” It’s a great first look on the album and the type of music the sisters create. Their style is perfect for almost all music lovers; whether it be the hippies or the hipsters, The Staves will fit in their daily playlist.

How much room do you have in your music collection for another folk band? Not a lot? Well this one is worth making room for. Elijah and the Moon’s first proper album The Lonesome World Beyond The Trees may have the prerequisite big drums, anthemic choruses and a healthy amount of vocal reverb, but at its core, this is a substance-over-style album. The songs are expertly written and crafted, catchy and unexpected, and mostly just plain beautiful. The string and vocal arrangements are particularly amazing on the album, which sets it apart from other folk bands today. The album has a fantastic cohesive feeling, like it’s taken in best all together as a journey. Perhaps a journey to…the lonesome world beyond the trees?

Stream and buy the album on Bandcamp!

For her sophomore LP, New York musician Mitski has revisited her lush orchestral sensibility with a more self-assured and direct focus. The nine songs that make up Retired from Sad, New Career in Business are dynamic, ecstatic and anxious. Mixing out-of-the-norm orchestral sounds with electronics and ‘found’ sounds, the songs are never what you expect but always feel exactly how they need to be. Each harmonic twist and turn, each unexpected structural shift is perfectly calculated and just right. Lyrically, the album, in similarly vague and poetic ways to her first release, explores the anxieties and fears modern youth feel in regards to sex, growing up, and moving on.

To go along with the album, Mitski has also directed a music video for each song. She has been releasing them one at a time each week this summer, and she has four more to go. The videos are part of an overarching story line and you can check them out on her YouTube page.