The word timeless best captures the spirit of this album. It is certainly modern, more indie-folk than traditional, but then, most traditional folk sounds were regarded as cutting-edge at some point. But it is a set of songs that feel like you have been listening to them forever, and what better definition of the word is there?
Singer-songwriter Nolen Sellwood’s new second album Cadence to the Flame shows the young artist growing. His publicity biography says that he is finding more influences now that he’s in college. Though there might be varied opinions about the quality of the poetry in his lyrics, the album is musically very engaging, with his appealing low wispy vocals, his pleasingly folky and sometimes jazzy acoustic guitar lines, and the interesting almost all acoustic, and almost all drum-less instrumentation on the album. It’s a sound you can easily get lost in.
It’s nice to see a young artist drawing on a classic sound of decades past, and imparting more of his own approach. Nolen Sellwood has made an impressive sophomore album to follow up his memorable debut.
" Otherwise”, brings a sense of refreshment and a lot of emotions with it. The new album consists of 10 songs from the American folk singer-songwriter. The artist has presented a perfect compilation of American folk with his mesmerizing voice. Even the background music and the incorporation of soothing instrumentals have been executed perfectly in each of the songs in the album.
American singer-songwriter Nolen Sellwood shares his new single "To Be Saved", a warm, laid-back piece of singer-songwriter/folk music with smooth vocals, intricate guitar riffs & steady drum patterns perfect for a chill day.
" When an extraordinary, deeply soulful and dynamically versatile young talent like Minnesota based singer/songwriter Nolen Sellwood burst onto our indie consciousness."
"Eccentric Eyes is both engaging and energetic, Who Wasn’t Once subtle and understated and What I Wanted is both timeless and timely. Folk music has a dilemma, it needs to appeal to its many purists whilst finding a way to move with the times. In Nolen Sellwood, I think it has found a new champion to fight its cause.
Folk music, it would seem, is back on the menu!"
Nice stuff. Very Nick Drakey and I like it. It's good stuff and great arrangements too." Dave Pegg
One of the latest releases from Nolen Sellwood touches on a very warm and welcoming style of storytelling and a lush folk approach that reels in a youthful undertone while remaining somewhat rustic and full-bodied.
"To Be Saved" is quite a beautifully woven single that showcases this particular artist's ability to create something that feels like a hug from a loved one.
Gorgeous jazz tones fill the air and this coming sensation kind of falls over you as you swim through the soundscape that fills the air around you.
There's something about this song that is so fulfilling in a way. It's almost like it creates memories that you feel like you might come back to later in life.
An impressive debut that should start people talking, but if the conversations are going to continue he might look to broaden his somewhat restricted – if well executed – musical palette and subject matter for the next album.
Mike Davies
Throughout history music has been full of prodigies, going back to Mozart, musicians who showed extraordinary musical ability and maturity at an early age. The classical world, jazz, and bluegrass have seen their share of youthful performers who have been virtuosic instrumentalists, often emerging as early teens.
This week we have the debut album of a teenage artist who is not so much a prodigy on his instrument, but rather one who captures a distinctive style of more than 50 years ago. It’s Nolen Sellwood, who has released his debut album called Otherwise.
I am flabbergasted to discover that this is a debut album by a young, up-and-coming artist that goes by the name of Nolen Sellwood. The new record is titled ‘Otherwise’ and you would think Nolen has been in the music game for a while due to the professional recording quality and top-tier songwriting. Believe it or not and I wouldn’t say ‘Otherwise’ that this is the absolute first time ever that Nolen Sellwood has recorded any material. Brace yourselves for an incredible debut album from an artist on a mission to be recognized by a wide audience.
It is said that Nolen Sellwood has an “old soul” and I would have to agree after taking in ‘Otherwise’. Nolen performs with extreme confidence and striking vulnerability and writes songs like a seasoned vet in the studio. The Minneapolis music scene has a “New Kid in Town” (Eagles) and his name is Nolen Sellwood breaking out in a BIG way with ‘Otherwise’.
Starting with the lyrics “can’t seal my life as it’s wandering by,” the acoustic track shows an artist mature beyond his years. Easily comparable to the likes of Nick Drake or Damien Rice, record producer John Wright said of Sellwood “how an 18 year old from Prior Lake, Minnesota managed to channel that type of creativity and make it his own is incredible.”
Beyond the emotions of the lyrics is the heavenly composition of the music. The crisp acoustic guitar is joined by sparse drums and a swelling of strings to give the track a delicate orchestral feel. It is exactly the kind of instrumentation such a beautiful song deserves.
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