23 Fields – Scars (2024)
Inspired by life in its totality, 23 Fields delve into both the light and dark sides of reality in all its glory. From familial relationships to lost love, sociopolitical narratives and random nonsense rearing its head in everyday life, the alternative folk trio are a sonic force of nature (but without being too “in your face” forceful). Step Adams (vocals and acoustic guitar), Louise Driver (violin) and Jason M. Smith (drums and percussion) piqued our interest earlier this year with the single ‘Berlin’. Today, we take a look or rather a listen to their track ‘Scars’.
As with ‘Berlin’, ‘Scars’ is taken off their well-received 2024 album To Follow This Year’s Fashion. Created with musician and producer James McMillan, ‘Scars’ has the same toe-tapping, laidback infectiousness heard in ‘2023’ and ‘Berlin’; however, the broodiness of this melody teeters between chilled grooves and skin-chilling haunting. Soft, soothing and mellifluous, ‘Scars’ is a harmonic union of guitars, violin and percussion… then again, as with the interplay of warmth and chill, the melody oscillates from dark to light and back again.
For me, each element plays a significant role in ‘Scars’ from Driver’s moving strings to Adams’ acoustic guitar; however, it is the vocals that allude to a heart-breaking stillness. Engaging simplicity in a kaleidoscopic manner, the gruff vocals are gritty but also an anchor in a hopeful tune. Oddly enough, while the song has a melancholy fragility in its overall presence, strength lies below as the wounds heal but leave scars.
Noted as one of the most popular tracks on To Follow This Year’s Fashion, ‘Scars’ is not only entertaining as a studio recording; it brings the rawness of reality to a sophisticated arrangement. It is this transition of raw, powerful, confident live sessions through my headphones that illustrates 23 Fields way of reaching into your soul, lingering in your brain, and leaving you emotionally moved.
Find out more about 23 Fields on their official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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