New Year, New Music: 3 Acts to Soundtrack Your 2018

Oliver Hazard, "Caesar Knows"

Oliver Hazard, named after the American naval commander of the same name (of course) are a three-piece indie-folk band from the town of Waterlooville, Ohio. The area is the definition of small town, with a population of approximately 5,000 and a Wikipedia page that fits neatly into a single computer screen. However, the band themselves have a big future ahead of them.

Their debut single, "Caesar Knows," has already surpassed 220,00 streams on Spotify since its release in November 2017, and for good reason.

Delicately picked guitar patterns blend with the song's constant kick drum spine to form a strong folk sound, before Americana inspired three part harmonies provide an addictive vocal loop.

The song begins with a joyous screamed syllable, "HA!"—please forgive my failed attempts at onomatopoeic representation, and instead, listen to the song yourself to see what I mean.

This lack of inhibition is mirrored in their music, which permeates any room it's played with a sense of fun and freedom. In their own words, the band state:

"Music has given us the opportunity to speak our minds in a place where certain ideas aren't always accepted"

To me, this epitomises music. An inexplicable force that can overthrow emotion. Indeed, my first listen to the track began sat lazily on a sofa, but quickly escalated to a point where I (and, I hope, many others will experience the same euphoria) was rhythmically stamping and jumping around my kitchen.

So, don't leave me to stamp alone, it's really more of a group activity. Slip on your lousiest, heaviest pair of boots, and give "Oliver Hazard" a listen.

John Buckley, "Festival"

Cornish-born John Buckley brings a refreshingly relatable twist to the singer-songwriter genre.

Far from the girls, clubs, and drinks on tap we've become accustomed to hearing from Sheeran and the like, "Festival" (the title track from Buckley's first release) shows a teenage guy attempting to impress a girl whilst handling several pints of Cornish courage.

The song's simple four chord structure is grown through subtle yet professional production. This perfectly underlies his Ronseal lyrics (doing exactly what they say on the tin) which provide an amusing narrative of events.

A pre-requisite of a good piece of folk-pop, Buckley's irresistible chorus is the final piece of the puzzle, leaving it impossible not to include this song in your most recent playlist.

Greta Stanley, "Left"

Stanley's minimalist bedroom-folk is nothing short of captivating. The Australian musician's lilting, poetic vocals lie smoothly on top of the foundations of gentle guitar, percussion, and subtle bass.

Despite the fact that Stanley released her impressive first album in 2017, I have chosen a track from her debut EP, Bedroom City. The song, "Left," is one of her more fast-paced. Sitting amongst an EP of lullaby-like softness, the song's constant, pacing drum beat forces the song to move forward.

The lyrics wind through a narrative of love, a young couple meeting and growing closer, before being forced apart by a combination of bad timing and life's many insurmountable obstacles. Despite their separation, the narrator tells us, "I'll always have a little bit of love left for you." However, to keep up with the ever-pacing drum, the singer, too, must move forward and continue living.

Stanley takes us through a story full of real, believable emotion. She paints a picture of life in its unpredictable and complicated actuality, and just so happens to sound absolutely beautiful whilst doing so.

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So, please, go forth and give these amazing artists the listens, adds and audience they thoroughly deserve, and enjoy 2018—what looks to be an incredible year of music.