Like many of us, I listen to genres all across the musical spectrum, but the blues-rock that has been infiltrating the airwaves in recent years has got to be one of my favorites. The Black Keys, Gary Clarke Jr, and Jack White have all embraced the sound established by such icons as The Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and brand-new UK artist Barns Courtney has carved himself a niche among these illustrious names. So far, he’s only released three songs, but he’s already caught the attention of Uma Thurman and Bradley Cooper, to name a few. Listen to his singles below, and be on the lookout – you’re sure to start hearing him everywhere.
“Fire” was his first single; an incredible track by any standards, it’s particularly impressive as his debut. His gorgeously raw voice shines in the verses, where he is accompanied by light percussion and deep backing vocals. The chorus is foot stomping-ly catchy, combining blues-rock influences with the flair of spaghetti westerns to create a throwback sound that I can’t get out of my head. “Glitter and Gold” has all the makings of a hit, while “Goodbye John Smith” takes a more down-tempo approach while still showcasing his beautiful voice. Barns Courtney is definitely an artist to watch: he has an album in the works and is bound to enjoy a huge following in the future.
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