5 Stellar Songwriters You Should Know

by Carly Schorman
Senior Editor

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Young Mothers

“They Were Right”

After a three-year hiatus, Young Mothers is back with a slinky new sound and the same clever lyricism that initially sparked our musical love affair with the Phoenix band. “They Were Right” deals with the crushing disillusionment that comes with, well, growing up. It fucking sucks but Young Mothers manages to capture that angst with a mix of wry wit and brazen honesty. Songwriter Zach Toporek hits home on more occasions than I have space to recount. I might just tattoo the line, “I got a big fucking problem with all the little things,” on my face to save time with all future conversations. Check out “They Were Right” below… Oh, and hey Young Mothers, glad to hear you’re back.

Jeremy Tuplin

“O Youth!”

Jeremy Tuplin comes to us from London-via-Somerset and you can hear some BritPop influences in his easygoing indie sound. It’s Tuplin’s unique vocal style and thoughtful lyricism that drew me into his new single, “O Youth!”, which will be released as part of his forthcoming debut album, I Dreamt I Was An Astronaut. Combining electronic elements with acoustic instrumentation for an organic sound that will warm away the weariness of your soul. Give “O Youth!” by Jeremy Tuplin a listen below and join me in the wait for the complete LP which is due out this coming September. Or you can head here for your own digi-download of the single.

Angharad Drake

“Baby”

“Baby” is the opening track from Angharad Drake’s 2017 LP, Ghost, which came out in April. This folk artist from Brisbane has an elegant sense of pacing which you can hear on “Baby” in its gentle breath and subtle energy shifts. And, did I mention Drake’s voice? There is a lovely litheness to the vocals on “Baby” that sit well against the haunting melody, reinforcing the ethereal atomsphere. Give “Baby” a listen below or head here to secure your own copy of Ghost, the complete LP, from Angharad Drake.

Emma Guzman

“Last Page”

Ugh, that calm and pensive voice of Emma Guzman burrows straight into the center of my heart. “Last Page” presents Guzman’s brooding songwriting style with the earnest force that defines her work, tempered but powerful. This single comes to us from Emma Guzman’s 2017 LP, Roots, which is available in full here. But, first, settle down with “Last Page” below…

Emay Holmes

“The Deployment Song”

Emay Holmes holds down an interesting day job while penning pensive songs by night. Holmes is a currently serving airman aboard the USS Nimitz and in his new single explores the strain of military life on the personal connections back home. “The Deployment Song” comes to us from Holmes’ forthcoming LP, Deep Down. That’s a release we’ll certainly be keeping watch for. Give the single a spin below…