Ryley Walker - Golden Sings That Have Been Sung

Much lauded and hotly tipped alt-troubadour, Ryley Walker has a voice to melt hearts and the dexterity of a roomful of guitarists. This Chicago boy has a transatlantic early 70’s sound, Ryley’s expertise and vision present a hefty eight track album feeling pin-sharp yet relaxed.

Prog-folk opener The Halfwit In Me combines acoustic and electric guitars, electric organ and crazy jazz-country percussion to build a bucolic, timeless piece offering new layers each listen. The frequently raised similarity to Tim Buckley is rubber stamped on Funny Thing She Said, but his sound is capable of absorbing influences and emerging freshly minted. The design deserves a mention, its beautifully simple artwork perfectly evokes the sound within, conjuring thoughts of late night cover loving while the turntable spins. Sullen Mind is a psychedelic raga infused piece of jet black intensity, slow and so very heavy. The Roundabout lifts the mood and with it your spirits, playful lyrics and hypnotic country blues, Age Old Tale closes the record with further diverse familiarity, harp and double bass convey a lullaby from another dimension. Blissful sounds for sure, on Golden Sings he has fashioned a moving, at times monumental album with genuinely enduring songs.