Jody Prewett swaps indie dance for intimate folk on his atmospheric new album River Songs.

By Graeme Smith

Jody was once part of the 2010s indie dance scene and his band Trophy Wife toured alongside heavyweights like Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club, Foals, Ed Sheeran and No Age to name a few. Yet, his heart truly belonged to acoustic folk and that’s what you get from his solo music.

His new album is called River Songs and was recorded live on the banks of the River Avon at New Cut Studios, Bristol and The Vineyards, Bath. It covers themes such as summer, transience, and companionship, as well as reflecting on the rivers and meadows in which it was born.

Compositionally, it’s inspired by the ’70s folk of John Martyn, Linda Perhacs, and Terry Callier and you immediately get the sense of that from album opener Don’t Let Go. Finger-picked acoustic guitar creates the atmosphere before Jody’s inimitable vocals come in. The translation from indie dance to intimate folk feels natural in them, and they beautifully emote the image-laden lyrics. It’s a strong start.

Ghostland has a folktale quality about it, pairing dramatic instrumentals with narrative-filled lyrics. On The Road to Evergreen is a delicate highlight. It paints a romantic picture of escape with its lyrics while its vocal harmonies shine.

Elsewhere we are treated to a drifting meditation in To the Waterfall, immersive nostalgia in Old House, and waves of poetry in Golden Tides. Afternoon Love is warm and cinematic before the album ends with River Song which wraps up its themes in a thoughtful, piano-led number.

River Songs features Jody on vocals, guitar, ukulele and piano, and Emily Maguire on vocals and cello. It was co-produced by Jody and Scot McKenzie, who also engineered and mixed it, and was mastered by Matthew Howe at Mulberry Mastering.

The album is out now and you can check it out below.