Acoustic

(Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Dashboard Confession)

My Bubba & Mi: Wild & You

Back with another lovely and sweet compilation, My Bubba & Mi just recently released a 5-track EP, Wild & You. Coated with beautiful folk melodies that the girls are known for, this mini-EP is filled with delightful cuts perfect for quiet and relaxing afternoons. The group is actually a trio, formed by three ladies who have a knack for creating some of the most gorgeous folk lullabies to serenade your ears. Their first full length album, How It's Done in Italy, was featured here in Frostclick a couple of months back. Their sound has gained a positive response from the listeners who have taken a liking to the band's self-dubbed "lullabies from the countryside."

Carrie Ryan: This Road

Listening to a Carrie Ryan record makes you want to rush over to a poppy field overlooking a beautiful scenery and stay there enjoying the wonders of nature. This Road is the first full length record from Ryan. She wrote and recorded all of the songs while still in high school. Much of the songs are about her personal experiences, about people and events around her. This 9-track compilation is filled with acoustic folk songs that resonate with Ryan's endearing, angelic voice. Her voice is surprisingly mature and you wouldn't even think that she recorded this at such a young age.

Music for Dead Birds : HONEY

When moody, somber music is what you need for the day, take a listen to Music for Dead Birds. They're brand of quiet "anti-folk" is a great soundtrack to those dusky skies and gloomy rainy days. The duo is made up of Jimmy Monaghan and Donald Walsh. They first got together back in 2007 and recorded various home recordings during this period. Thanks to this, they managed to win a spot to perform at the Róisín Dubh, which is a popular live music venue in Galway, Ireland. HONEY is the band's latest release and a compilation of all the songs that never made the final cut from their previous releases.

Flyafter: Today I’m With You

Flyafter is a Jakarta based band specializing in producing "beautiful pop melodies carving their way through a dreamlike foggy electronic soundscape." Part of 23 Seconds Netlabel, Today I'm With You is the band's (Rully Fahrezzyf, Hannan Jaya Mahardika, and Rully Luandri) second release after the more acoustic sounds of the self-titled EP. In their music, Flyafter combines various elements beginning from electronic, acoustic, to techno, shoegaze, indietronic, and pop. Although the band has been performing around Jakarta for quite some time now it was not until 2010, with the release of their first EP, that their music crossed continents for the very first time.

Eva & Manu: Still Traveling EP

There are times when all you need to make you happy is a van, musical instruments, the wonderful English countryside and a sense of adventure. Still Traveling EP by Eva & Manu is a beautiful example of what happens when you drop everything and go on a road trip across Europe, helping people on the way while creating wonderful music. This amazing duo is currently criss-crossing Europe, spreading and playing their music for small villages and anyone who is willing to listen. Their sound is a blend of hypnotic folk with beautiful melodies that suits the tranquil countryside. This is the first EP from the twosome and they're using their experiences during travel to create songs and compile a full album.

Low Voltage Rangers: Spirographology

Low-Voltage Rangers might sound like a band but the fact is, there's only one man standing at the helm; Jeremy Toltzman. Taking up the moniker Low-Voltage Rangers, the artist sings, plays the instruments, and writes the songs. Spirographology takes 34 tracks recorded by the artist between 2004- 2011. This includes two of his latest singles. Despite having no label or any professional studio equipment at his disposal, the music he creates is filled with beautiful melodies and great indie lo-fi quality. It's something you'd love to listen to on a quiet evening, slowly lulling you to mellow out and relax after a long, hard day.

Idbs: It Has To Be Done

Normally, most artists would be excited to share their thoughts, ideas, influences etc. about their music, but not Idbs. In fact, he makes sure to let the people know this by tacking a polite but straightforward note on his Jamendo page stating: This text is useless as the music speaks better of the artist than itself. True enough, the music does communicate itself very well. The album is a beautiful mix of acoustic, folk, pop and even rock & roll. It's a gorgeous album beaming with soulful guitar driven love songs with the occasional and unexpected touch of alternative grunge.

Soto: Soto EP

Soto is an experimental Japanese pop group that create lovely folk pop music. Listening to this band is like being transported to a place where forest spirits dwell and lovely music is created at every instance. Two members of the band originally formed the duo, "Oto." This initial band produced music that focused more on sounds and its tapestry. However, as the group turned into a quartet; they focused more on creating music with proper song structures. Together, they christened themselves as "Soto" and create amazing acoustic, folk pop that is transcendent as well as emotional.

The Fumes: Unhandled Exception

Remember Blues Clues and that striped sweater wearing guy named, Steve? Well, this isn't him (although he's actually a musician too) but I imagine, The Fumes, could have easily played the part of the guitar wielding Steve in the show. One listen to Unhandled Exception and you'll probably see/hear it too. This guy churns out acoustic folk pop cuts that immediately made me picture children sitting around on a park with the singer at the center and singing along to his music. Now, this can either be good or bad depending on your taste, but personally some songs in this acoustic folk pop record are worth a listen.