A Choir of Ghosts – Skin & Bones (2020)
When someone you love has a problem, you often want to fix it for them. However, this is not always possible and the realisation of this has been beautifully captured in ‘Skin & Bones’ by A Choir of Ghosts. Through the folk soundscape, you are drawn to this realisation and the knowledge that there are times when you can do nothing but watch and hope for the best.
This hard realisation is tinged with various shades of nostalgia which has become a standard for James Auger, the man behind the ghosts. Since 2016, he has been unleashing his energetic and modern blend of folk on the world. After the cancellation of his European tour, this single is the first musical sign of life from the project.
‘Skin & Bones’ opens with a beautiful guitar line that sets you in the folk soundscape. The rolling flow of the guitar is peaceful, but there is a sense of melancholy within the notes. The tones that swell from the depths of the melody add a hint of nostalgia to the guitar line. As the two meld, you are sent drifting down the folk soundscape which is utterly captivating and keeps you listening.
While the melody fills you with the folk vibes, Auger’s vocals take you through the emotions of the track. The lyrics are touching as they come to the realisation that they cannot fix a problem for someone. The flow of his performance is nuanced and filled with a sense of hopelessness. However, on the chorus, there is a hint of light and a feeling that things will be okay.
The emotions of the song are translated into a stunning visual by the music video. The peaceful start of the video full of bird song and woods combines perfectly with the guitar opening. As the video progresses, the visuals take you on a journey through the woods. There is a moment when the problems of life creep out of the woods to create a subtle visual of struggle. The ending of the video neatly ties everything together.
A Choir of Ghosts beautifully captures the realisation that you can’t always fix things for those you love in ‘Skin & Bones’. Combining a gentle melody with folk vocals, Auger takes you through this realisation while offering a glimmer of hope. The music video perfectly captures the essence of the song in a stunning visual.
Find out more about A Choir of Ghosts on his website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
