Three folk tracks bringing a taste of mid-September to your playlist – Ear To The Ground Music

Madison Olds – “Rich in Dreams”
-I really like the vocal quality from Madison Olds. I’m a huge fan of the energy of her production and folk style. There’s just enough of an acoustic spirit to the song to make it resonate, but it has a bouncy pop style to it that is really enjoyable as well. I keep thinking of Noah Kahan when I listen to this; similarly, the Marianne Beaulieu cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” is also in this vein. I just think that Olds has tapped into this light pop folk style that is rising in the charts these days. The lyrical message is satisfying, too, if you’ve ever been told by others how to live your lives. It’s an emphasis on localism, which is much needed in our ever-globalizing world. What a sentiment and delivery! I’m a new fan.

SYML – “Please Slow Down”
-If your life is anything like mine, this is one of the busiest months of the year. There’s always more to do. This song is about taking the time to take your time. “Remember to be brave,” is a message that feels catered to a child, but honestly sometimes I need to hear it too. This is a beautiful acoustic folk song about how time moves too quickly and how much our love for someone special grows over time. The lyrics are absolutely endearing and accessible. The crisp production on this song allows it to absolutely soar. If I was in charge of sync deals, I would put this track on a show pronto; it’s perfect for TV.

WILKES – “Human (The Killers Cover)”
-If you’ve been around our site for any length of time, you know I rarely feature covers here. So when I do, it’s because it’s truly exceptional. This track from WILKES, a cover of “Human” by the Killers is absolutely breathtaking. The phrasing is reimagined for a calm, expressive bit of songwriting that is sure to hit different with this delivery. The impassioned lyrical delivery makes the song feel like a cry out to the divine for a sense of purpose. Are we human or are we dancer? A legit question, to be fair.

Image courtesy: Madison Olds IG