Levi Larsen is a 20-something songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in the windy capital of Wellington, New Zealand. Larsen played in bands throughout high school, but decided to drop out of performance music at university to pursue becoming a lawyer. Even though this meant music was left on the back burner as life happened, music has been a way to deal with various obstacles. The past few months have been a rewarding time period while Larsen as a solo act got the chance to explore artistic creativity. A talented musician, Larsen plays guitar, bass, keys, banjo, ukulele, bagpipes, trumpet and saxophone, and a lot of these instruments can be heard The Ghost Town EP. Larsen doesn’t just make acoustic music but incorporates instances of folk, blues, old jazz, grunge, punk, ska and pop, making for a very diverse and eclectic listen. Larsen’s latest EP mixes elements of folk, rock and acoustic.
The Ghost Town EP right away starts out with “Closed Caption,” where some drumming beats and the guitar settles in. Gradually, with the inclusion of vocals, the track embraces a warmer sound. This felt like a great acoustic song with tons of happening singer/songwriter vibes. Eventually the vocals become more driven with amped emotions. The way Larsen shouts out the vocals reminded me of Glen Hansard in many ways. The heightened emotions effectively add momentum to this track. The sound of the saloon-style piano incorporates a startling vibe to “Take It To The Grave.” The vocals are executed with a hushed sensibility in a kind of near-whisper. The piano becomes more haunting going for a horror-themed movie feel. The vocals soon become more amped up, packed with antics and characteristics and the singing was big, outlandish and over-the-top sounding. Inspired by a jaunt through the cemetery one night is according to the artist about “reclaiming the night and your right to exist without fear of harm from others.” On “Long Ago,” the sounds of the banjo lean onto a country-bent, Americana feel. The piano adds a touch of melancholy to the vibes. This felt like a resonating acoustic ballad with loads of mood and feeling. “I Ran” is a more straightforward rock piece. The drums in the backdrop make for some compelling rhythms. The reverb-drenched guitar riffs and gnarly vocals make for a raw and uncompromising sound. This is the least polished track on the album, but one that will probably resonate the most with listeners. On the title track “Ghost Town,” drums and percussions sizzle in the backdrop of this piece. Gradually overdubbed vocals add a distinctive layer to the vocal harmonies. The beats have a poppy vibe to it that made it one of the more accessible songs on this EP. Larsen mixes a wealth of experiences to give a very personal and intimate look on the album. The tracks all have an immediacy to them that gives you a kind of cathartic release. Larsen’s timbre, which is a mix between baritone and a tenor, is often sung in a straightforward manner which sometimes changes frequency with more emotional emphasis. This gives a heightened effect that is reminiscent of Glen Hansard and The Civil Wars. This is a great debut and I look forward to seeing what new things will emerge from this burgeoning artist.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Critique/insightWe are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.
Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook
Archives
May 2024
|