faeland little lights

​Faeland (from the E.P. Little Lights available as a self-release) (by Chris Wheatley)
Modern-Folk duo, UK-based Jacob Morrison and Rebecca Nelson, caused quite a stir with their first album, 2018’s All My Swim, so it's great to see them back with new E.P. release, Little Lights. Clues to their sound can be found in their name, as Rebecca explains ‘fae means 'other' and I see music as the porthole...to this ‘otherness’ that no one can quite put their finger on’. They further describe their songs as taking inspiration from traditions on both sides of the Atlantic ‘with singer-songwriter stylings and a slice of Pop’.
“Easier” beings its set with some rolling, finger-picked guitar and shuffling percussion, which builds nicely with elements of banjo, drums and bass emerging organically into the mix. Rebecca's voice is certainly worthy of comment, high and lilting, smooth as butter with a yearning vitality and compelling substance. Her delivery sits in some pleasing locale between traditional folk, modern pop and ear-catching individuality. There's more than a bit of magic in this track, with its multi-harmony chorus, tinkling piano adornments and hard-to-resist beat. Words such as ‘ethereal’ and ‘sumptuous’ are all too easily banded around, but Faeland justly deserve both such descriptors.
In the Little Lights, a more straightforward affair, Faeland show that they can do a lot with a little. With acoustic guitar, voice and mandolin, the duo draw the listener in before drums and bass widen the view, opening up the dynamics into a lovely balancing act between heaviness and lightness. ‘Suddenly you change and you're all rearranged’ sings Rebecca, whose voice soars and soothes with admirable effectiveness.
This is a finely produced set. Faeland know how to construct a captivating composition. Little Lights is a strong follow-up E.P. which will surely find a place in the hearts of countless listeners. (by Chris Wheatley)
Listen and buy the music of Faeland from AMAZON
 
For more info, check out the Faeland website

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