Singer songwriter Softly Spoken wows with absorbing new acoustic album, Seasons of Love.

By Graeme Smith

A new artist on the block, Softly Spoken is announcing herself with her new album Seasons of Love, a stripped back album featuring nothing but vocals and acoustic guitar.

The compositional choice is striking right from the off, with captivating vocals taking centre stage. They’re soft, but deliver a lyrical edge that mixes romantic highs with soul-searching lows. Opening track Hey perfectly typifies this, with a meandering, relatable love story that will have you gripped.

There’s a danger in creating a stripped-back album like this. Things could easily start to feel stale after a few tracks. There’s something special about Softly Spoken’s delivery that negates this. Each story is simply told but completely absorbing. The earnest vocals will charm you while the acoustic guitar melodies are varied enough to keep things interesting. Tracks like My Person and Happysad feel completely timeless.

Other highlights include the melancholic and dreamy Scar, the reluctantly hopeful Crazy and the bright and sweet Miss You. Circles closes things with lively, pleading folk pop.

In a modern world full of cinematic soundscapes and overproduction, it’s refreshing to hear an album that feels as immediate as Seasons of Love. Softly Spoken has eschewed the bells and whistles to deliver nine tracks full of love and charm. I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes her career.

Seasons of Love is out now via Burn County Music. You can check it out below.