Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Folk Friday Radio and as a rule singles and Eps have generally gone in that direction whilst Fatea generally concentrates on albums and live reviews for our full length feature, but with more artists going back down the single route to keep themselves in the public eye, we thought it was time to reflect that in our offerings and as rules are made to be broken or at the very least adapted, welcome to the Singles Round Up.
George Boomsma - Make A Start
www.georgeboomsma.com
Despite describing his music as Folk Rock in the CSN or Jeff Buckley mould this is a thoroughly contemporary song. The growling guitar over the harmonies on the chorus lend this a slightly modern psych feel. There is an insistent drumbeat which nags at the lyrics about making a small step to start bigger change. Forthcoming album, The Bracken And Tread, was inspired by his travels through Nepal, and on this showing will be one to watch out for. TM
Alum Alu - Neizturami
www.facebook.com/alumalumusic
Latvian is not a language often heard in this part of the world, and the combination of almost Greek style music and the extended vocals Russian folk music produces a hypnotic whole. The band describe themselves as bringing "an explosive mix of Romani and Balkan folk energy." When you add a fiddle solo to the mix of voices and percussion this is an intriguing and different pleasure. TM
Dave Christen - One Of Those Nights (Live)
www.davechristen.com
Blues often works best when it's live, and this tune from Dallas singer Dave Christen shows of how the club atmosphere can enhance a fairly routine blues ballad. Clearly recorded from the audience, which may put off a few listeners, you can feel how he is responding to his listeners and the band and almost smell the beer and smoke. A song which should send you off to the nearest juke joint for the evening. TM
The Browns - Scorpion
thebrownsnorfolk.com
The addition of a Cello lifts this tune to another level entirely. The Norfolk duo usually work with just a guitar and voice. We have looked at their songs before, and this is up with their best. Comparing negative thoughts to a scorpion stinging and poisoning those thoughts. Ann Brown's measured delivery and clear tone conceal an emotional storm in the lyrics. Excellent song from a duo who have many more gems in their catalogue and are touring away from their home base this summer. TM
Flaene - Gone Now
www.flaene.live
"Cinematic alt-folk songs, soundscapes & spoken word" accurately describe this song. What it doesn't do is convey the impact of an atmospheric mix of synth, strings, guitar, flute and voices. When the mix of vocals and singing styles resolves down to a simple drum and single vocal line halfway through you get that this is not your typical "gothic folk." Irish, English, folk, electronic and rock. There is so much going on in its 5 minutes, that you just have to hit repeat. A new artist to love for 2026. TM
Luke James Williams - Hollows And Branches
www.lukejameswilliams.co.uk/#
A stripped back start to this pop folk song builds the tension and emotion in the tune. Lyrically it's about discovering joy in nature, musically it is basic, which is exactly what the song called for until the tension is released in the last chorus. Even then though it has a simplicity which is true to the words. The Radiohead style distortion of the latter section keeps the focus off the music and on the mantra of the title. "In the hollows and branches, you will find me." TM
George Wilding - Isn't She Lonely
www.facebook.com/GeorgeWildingMusic
This appears to be a re-recorded version of a single from last year with band backing rather than 2025's acoustic offering. A big 60s style pop song. The Kinks or The Move could have sung the original, but this is a more Britpop interpretation except that his big soulful voice is streets ahead of anything doled out in the 90s. he has a Bandcamp profile with more of the same. His Facebook asks you to "…play it cool but play a mean Tchaikovsky on the tambourine…" TM
Little Lore - Fair Weather
littlelore.uk
The first cut from Tennessee Williams inspired album, "Being Serafina", which will be coming out in June and named after the lead protagonist in the Rose Tattoo, "Fair Weather" is much more than an opening chapter, more a statement of intent. Little Lore, aka Tricia Duffy, takes Williams introduction and turns it into a lilting narrative that lays down the clues for what is to come, fair weather is a yearning when riding the e4dge of a storm as well as a place. NK
Verse Metrics - Sea Fairies (We’re Not Alone In This Lake)
versemetrics.com
Verse Metrics' debut album has been a long time coming and we still have to wait for the Summer for that event, but, "Sea Fairies (We’re Not Alone In This Lake)" is the first track from the album and boy does it make a lot of promises for the album to deliver on. Anthemic indie rock, with a strong Celtic undertone, that hits with the impact of Simple Mind's "Don't You (Forget About Me), this will have your fist reaching for the sky quicker than a pistol shrimp knocks out it's prey. NK
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.
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