Dan McCarthy

Dan McCarthy's recent album 'When The Light Fades' is one to fall in love to. A fully hand-crafted and acoustic album that holds a magical essence. 'Fly Away' has already been featured following its appearance on the 'Acoustic Arsenal' Compilation (read the review here). Even from the first track your muscles begin lose their tension as you ease into McCarthy's lucid voice and gentle melodies.
The following track,'Crazy Sun', is one of my personal favourites. It has a wave like melody and is predominantly instrument, it has been perfect for soothing away any stresses I've had and settling me down for the night. What more do you want out of a piece of acoustic music? 'Moonbeams', 'Dream Time' and 'Lost' continue to hold onto McCarthy's wondrous relaxing and loving essence whilst the songs still flaunt their own special sparks, making them all into independant flourishes.
'Fence Post Man' reminds me of Gordon Giltrap, the track leaks the same level of skill and emotion as Giltrap does in his own music. Lyrically, the next song is my favourite. 'White Light' is so sweet and gentle, opening to the sound of  "Sometimes I see the light in me, sometimes I see the stars, sometimes I see the light in you, the space between the stars and me, the space between the stars and you". 'After The Rain', 'Firefly' and 'Ladybug Point' all lead up to 'The Woods', the closure of the album, with grace and purity. 'The Woods' does end the LP perfectly, McCarthy's vocals make twang somewhere deep inside your soul whilst the fluidity of guitar notes make you feel like your floating. I don't think he could have ended the album any other way.

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Emily, (@emiemzy)

Acoustic Arsenal

Factory Fast Records are back with another exceptional release following 'Rigged and Wired', and they will keep coming back with even more brilliant compilations to get your hands on the coming weeks. For now though, we have 'Acoustic Arsenal' to soothe all of our music desires. The compilation features a mixture of stripped down songs including the immaculate, country styled 'Troubadour' by North Star and the rock infused folk track 'Moonshine' by The Federalis.

'Hey Mister' by The Shannons make it incredibly hard to stay away from your dancing shoes. Their easy melodies accompanied by the quick paced beat and bright string instruments make it hard not to begin floating around the room. 'Your Love Means Nothing to Me Now' by Johnny Hate is brimming with a bluesy, rock n roll sound. It is a sort of sound that plants a smile on your face and encourages your body into a gentle jam along with the infectious tones.
'Backburner' by Matt Davis is finely tuned and makes your ears tingle with a state of euphoria. Everything about this track is perfect; the purity of the acoustic guitar, the strength and talent of the vocals and the aromatic feel of the backing noises. 'Fly Away' by Dan McCarthy is a loving song, one which fills you with warmth and smiles. Its slow and calming, repetitive but assuring. 'All Protect This Lie' by Glen Fernando has a similar tone, slightly more brooding but it is still one that lazily cocoons you in happiness.

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Emily (@emiemzy)