Birds Are Better – Marigold (2022)
The brainchild of Norwegian singer-songwriter Stian Fjelldal, Birds Are Better brings a unique slant to folk music. Tinging traditional folk with power-pop, synth-rock and indie-pop, Birds Are Better is a real treat for the ears. Only having formed in 2022, the artist can be considered a newbie in the indie music scene; however, the sophistication of his songs showcases a maturity that screams of years of experience. The latest addition to his two-track discography is the single ‘Marigold’.
Beginning as a conceptual idea with a troubled seabird playing the roles of protagonist and antagonist – “a lost villain turning into a full-blown superhero during a series of unfortunate and tragic events in which he ends up losing his loved ones” – one can assume that Birds Are Better’s music has a desperate quality and tone. Yet, while this concept is the backing for the songs, the newer additions are part of the seabird’s universe and not the storyline; hence, we have ‘Marigold’.
Following his debut single ‘Oblivion, Bliss’, Birds Are Better brings a fusion of commercial pop and old-school folk. An ambient quality exists with the inclusion of soft guitars and drums, while the design of indie-folk brings a more toe-tapping quality – think of a Charlie Puth meets Mumford and Sons sound, and you might have an idea of what I am speaking of. Yet, it is the vocal execution that takes the song to another level.
Inextricably woven into the sonic tapestry, Birds Are Better’s dulcet tones bring a spine-chilling sensation to ‘Marigold’. Interestingly enough, while there is a soothing whimsy to the melody, the vocals incorporate a melancholy fitting to the overall song’s theme. Birds Are Better explains that ‘Marigold’ is about a “man reflecting on big questions in life and his place in the universe while he’s chased down by some vicious people.”
Sincere, soft and tender, Birds Are Better reflects on human fragility in this intimate and vulnerable single. I can’t wait to see what else he has up his sleeve.
For more from Birds Are Better check out his Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
