Farao – Bodies

Farao

Just when you start to think you’re becoming aurally jaded, a Scandi indie-folk goddess emerges out of the ether to restore your faith in the new music scene. Such is the case with Kari Jahnsen, the London-based Norwegian singer-songwriter known as Farao. She just released her new single “Bodies,” which will be featured on her forthcoming debut LP Till It’s All Forgotten — out on September 11 via Full Time Hobby. The album, on which Jahsen composed and performed nearly all the instruments was produced by Mike Lindsay (of English group Tunng) and mixed by Grammy award-winning producer Andrew Scheps (Hozier, Lana Del Ray). The beauty of “Bodies” is that it unwinds in an unexpected fashion, expanding in all different directions all the while retaining its bedazzling and melodic musical core.

Farao’s first US tour kicks off in NYC this fall and concludes in LA. Full dates below — but DC brethren can catch the chanteuse at DC9 September 23.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

9/10 – Sebright Arms – London, UK
9/17 – Rockwood Music Hall – New York, USA
9/22 – Smiling Buddha – Toronto, CA
9/23 – DC9 – Washington DC, USA
9/24 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, USA
9/26 – Music Hall Loft – Portsmouth, USA
9/29 – Hotel Café – Los Angeles, USA

 

Prateek Kuhad – Held You Tight

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A few weeks back we received a submission from an artist named Prateek Kuhad, a singer-songwriter based out of New Delhi, India. He seems to have a large following there, and listening to his catalog of soothing, breezy folk-pop it’s easy to see why. Stream the heartwarming, Buddy Holly-esque track “Held You Tight” taken from his 2015 debut record In Tokens & Charms below.

Natalie Prass – Bird of Prey

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Former member of Jenny Lewis‘ backing band, Natalie Prass is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter set to release her first full-length record this week. She recorded the album in the attic studio belonging to her label, Spacebomb Records, where she collaborated with former high school bandmate (and Spacebomb founder) Matthew E. White. Supported by the label’s house band, Prass’ melodious vocals are supplemented by lush strings, piano, horns and woodwind — a polished collection “nourished by reverence for past eras of big band and jazz and infused with the crisp detail of late ’70s and early ’80s R&B,” as described in a press release.

The lead single on what is unmistakably a breakup album, “Bird of Prey” proffers a good introduction to the warm, retro and sentimental style that Prass so effortlessly inhabits. Plaintive lyrics like ‘You don’t leave me no choice but to run away / You are a bird of prey / With a heart like the night’ as she croons on the chorus are sure to resonate with many.

Prass’ self-titled debut is out tomorrow. Listen to “Bird of Prey” and “Why Don’t You Believe In Me” below. And if that’s not enough, you can stream the album in full over on Pitchfork.

DC residents can catch the songbird live February 4 at DC9.

blue john – Thirst For Knowledge

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Shout out to our friend Geoff, formerly of 32feet for introducing us to this charming tune from Torquil Campbell, lead singer and songwriter of Stars. In what is presumably a side project, writing under the pseudonym blue john Campbell released the track, “Thirst For Knowledge” last week to little fanfare on his SoundCloud page. Why more bloggers haven’t scooped up this dulcet duet is beyond us, as we love just about everything about it. Stream below.

Ed Sheeran – Bloodstream

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Although Ed Sheeran‘s hit track “The A Team” from his debut album, +, may have elevated his career to A-list status, the fact that he’s enjoying mainstream success doesn’t make the English singer-songwriter any less talented. And while I do not subscribe to all of Sheeran’s music, his track “Bloodstream” off recently released second studio album, x, (read “multiply”) is worth checking out. Sounding remarkably similar to Ben Howard, “Bloodstream,” which was written in part by Rudimental has a darker edge to it than the rest of the album — all the while maintaining an undercurrent of that signature folk-pop sound that he does so effortlessly. Listen below.

DC folk can catch Ed playing Merriweather Post Pavilion September 6.

 

Sylvan Esso – Hey Mami // Coffee

sylvan esso

Props to fellow blogger, Audiophile: Akwitz, for introducing us to the North Carolina duo known as Sylvan Esso. Their first single, “Hey Mami” is a delectable folksy, trill and synth-infused track that you’ll want to play on repeat. Java junkies will want to check out their single “Coffee” as well.

See Sylvan Esso’s upcoming West Coast tour dates in Feb below.

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
2/10 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
2/11 Los Angeles, CA – Satellite
2/13 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
2/14 Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
2/15 Seattle, WA – Barbazoa

Erlend Øye – La Prima Estate

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Erlend Øye, one half of Kings of Convenience, one quarter of the Whitest Boy Alive, and collaborator with Royksopp is primed to release a new album sometime next year. Although the Norwegian has yet to announce a release date, this is joyous news for fans of the folkateer. The album, La Prima Estate will be sung entirely in Italian — adding to the charm of his latest project. Enjoy a preview of the first single off the album below.

 

Bonus: A video of one of my early favorites from KOC. This melancholic track makes me utterly, supremely and absurdly happy.

Of all the strangers you’re the strangest that I’ve seen

Folk-rock group Lord Huron just released their debut album, Lonesome Dreams today on IAMSOUND. Akin to Fleet Foxes, their gorgeous harmonies are “a joyous collision of Appalachian percussion, calypso guitars and infectious Western melodies.”

Listen to “The Stranger,” and watch the western-themed video of “Time to Run,” complete with Indonesian subtitles below.