The gorgeous debut single from Michael B Thomas, “August” presents an intriguing folk spaciousness with psych-friendly appeal. The project represents the solo recording project of Leeds-based singer/songwriter and musician Thomas Barr, also the lead songwriter and vocalist in Party Hardly. More recently, Barr also performs live with EADES, playing keys.
Understated vocals and serene acoustical strums craft a warm opening, ascending to a beautifully twangy chorus with the “August butterflies, and she’s right there by your side,” refrain. The more folk-leaning verses conjure a timeless, haunting quality reminiscent of Nick Drake, while the seamless escalation into a more twangy rock-tinged exterior recalls the likes of Elliott Smith and Wilco. “August” is a thoroughly impressive debut from Michael B Thomas.
The artist elaborates on the track’s lyrical inspirations: “Your teenage and young adult years can be a very scary experience, they can also be fun, passionate, daring and hugely impactful. I wanted to identify this and the transition into adulthood not only from my own perspective but from the perspective of the people around me.”
“August” is co-produced by Barr’s EADES bandmates Harry Jordan and Dan Clifford-Smith, and also features Bored At My Grandmas House on backing vocals. The track will be part of collection of new songs, due later this year on Bam Bam Records — its thematic center “tracking an adolescent’s journey into self discovery and the true meaning of life and love.”
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This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2022’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
