Reviews
Maria Mihailik Album: Maria Mihailik
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: https://mariamihailik.com/
At the core of Ukrainian Maria Mihailik's self titled mini album is her charismatic voice and guitar. This is acoustic troubadour music, fleshed out by Cameron Niven's sympathetic soft touch accompaniment. But Mihailik's sound is 60s Coffee Shop Troubadour music, classic folk informed by Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Odetta and the brooding passion of Leonard Cohen.
Traditional "Hairs On The Mountain" is has Mihailik's very English sounding finger picking accompanying an incredibly powerful vocal. Niven swells the atmosphere with electronics and keyboards, dialling up the Psych Folk vibe considerably. The timeless feel continues with "Hello My Friend", the elements are classic, guitar voice and touches of violin sounds, but the effect is gripping. "Bitches" and "For You " have a real Cohen smoulder in Maria's vocal with her guitar runs and Niven's lyrical piano building tension. Words flow out of Mihailik like poetry.
"What I Mean" with its hypnotic guitar motif, emotional vocal and splashes of jazzy accompaniment is a stand out track, along with " Hares On The Mountain" and "Would You Be Compelled". " Hares On The Mountain" is just timeless and I love the space around the voice and the way Mihailik plays with phrasing on "What I Mean" and excellent "Would You Be Compelled". " Mary" balances an emotional lyric against a uplifting mix of guitar, brush drums and keyboards in a shimmering arrangement that is completely uplifting.
Maria Mihailik's 8 track mini album is a streaming only release. Hopefully it generates enough interest to become a physical release and carry Maria where she wants to go as it is a potent set that really stands up to repeated listens.
Marc Higgins
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What I Mean
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
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