No Lonesome – Cool Waters (2024)
Fluttering in the realm of folk, Americana, indie-folk, bluegrass and folk-pop, No Lonesome saunters through various degrees of folk catching threads of sound in a kaleidoscopic sonic tapestry. We were introduced to No Lonesome in 2021 with their debut single ‘For Carlo’, and our journey through their discography continued with ‘Strange How’. Met with critical acclaim on an international scale, the Chicago-based project continues to push boundaries proving they are not to be pigeon-holed. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Cool Waters’.
Following their well-received album Flowers Recomposing, No Lonesome enters 2024 with ‘Cool Waters’. Already showcasing diversity and innovation in previous releases, the group pushed the bar with the new single. While ‘Cool Waters’ retains the youthful playfulness of their DIY production, it also presents with greater maturity. Lying somewhere between The Kinks, The Monkees and The Beach Boys, a whimsical innocence drifts along bound by elegant sophistication; a young boy in a new suit all dressed up for a walk in the park while friends play in the dirt.
Beautifully layered and textured, listening to ‘Cool Waters’ is like standing on the bank of an ethereal sonic river watching the water rush past in delightful ribbons of pink, blue and yellow. I find it intriguing that the fusion of drums, bass and guitars is harmonic but with a hint of disconnect in the composition. With each instrument demanding attention, your ears are drawn to different sounds – the punchiness of the drums, the boldness of the bass, the strength of dynamic guitars, and even a piercing of horns. Then again, that being said, the complexity of ‘Cool Waters’ is smoothed in a melodic symphony.
So, overall, what is my opinion of ‘Cool Waters’ and No Lonesome? Sincere and sentimental, ‘Cool Waters’ is a flood of hypnotic gentleness and calm – particularly with the wistful vocals skipping along with hushed delicacy. Then again, vulnerability lurks beneath the surface with tremulous quivers – all coming together with a satisfying smile.
Find out more about No Lonesome on his Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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