The Raft: "Xanadu"

Tucked away, hidden somewhere near Liverpool comes an artist that has sent me a very beautiful song that makes my heart swell. Listening to this track will make you want to curl up on your couch with your special someone and forget about looking at the time. The mix and arrangement has a throwback appeal but at the same time is still fresh and very relevant. Xanadu, is my new favorite pop track of the week and says something, because there is so much Pop music out there that sometimes I find myself nearly stubbing my toe, falling over and breaking my neck.

The song opens with a simple percussion loop that makes me want to stand open my hands, raise them to the sky and begin dancing. Guitar notes dance through the air around me and sound cold as ice, so clear and concise, yet at the same time are so warm and welcoming to the ear. Sounds that are layered are varied in texture creating a rich sound scape that invites you on a journey through your mind as well through artist's. 

Vocals sound as if they are rolling out of Phil's mouth with pure emotion. It seems as though they are just flowing telepathically out of his mind without a breath spent. They sound smooth as silk dancing in the breeze of a warm spring day. The guitar solo that comes in around the 2:55 mark takes the tale further down the road. There was no need for a whirlwind of notes but ones tastefully played that appear as an open hand welcoming you along the journey. 

The chorus will have you singing along no matter what your ability to sing is. As it bounces through my mind I find a peace and still have a longing that is not satisfied but only by the continuation of this song. While "Xanadu" comes in at an epic 6:55 in length it by no means wears out its welcome. Rounding out the cut is a female vocal that is just as smooth as the rest of the song, and as it fades out I find my wondering what to do next besides hit play again. 

I recommend this song to those that like Pop, Electronic, Alternative and Indie styles of music. It was truly another beautiful experience from Phil Wilson. It's worth a spin or twenty.

Michael Smith

Check out the album: https://philtheraft.bandcamp.com/album/abloom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theraft1/

Floral: "This Year"

With a burst of energy Floral open “This Year” with an array of percussion hits and notes that takes your mind on a journey through the recesses of your mind. Question is, will you like what you find? 

The pallet of my ears is well justified for the mix is in full blossom with all elements well represented. The guitars dance from foreground to the back while the bass is well represented from the sides allowing your hips to groove as you walk through the house. The drums pack the appropriate punch to get you to nod your head with the beat, all the while you don’t have to worry about spraining your neck. 

Being that this is an instrumental track, it lends the listener to have a blank canvas as to what the subject matter is. I find myself in the city at a crosswalk. The traffic is busy moving faster than normal and I have to make my way across so that I can get home. Having to time my moves just right I make it across the intersection and on my way. Weaving in and out of people and obstacles I finally find peace and end in arriving home. Any adventure of the mind and emotion could take place with this track in the back ground.

This track is just beautiful. I would recommend this track to those that like rock genres such as indie and prog. This track has a very uplifting feel to in and can help to be that sun rising on a cloudy day. 

Hats off to Floral with an excellent track for a Sunday afternoon. Check it out. It’s definitely worth the spin.

Check it out: https://floral1.bandcamp.com

by

Michael