Drawing from diverse influences within the worlds of rock, jazz, blues and country, Naylor Stone is new to our blog thanks to his debut solo EP, The Game of They.

By Graeme Smith

Album photos by Steve Pyke

The EP gets off to a folksy start with If It Wasn’t For The Trees. Naylor’s vocals take on a pleading quality in the verse as they deliver poetic, storytelling lyrics that will have you gripped. The track builds to a soaring rock chorus and the diversity of Naylor’s sound starts to shine through. An atmospheric instrumental interlude is the icing on the cake.

Title track The Game of They injects some pacy tempo into proceedings, dancing along while Naylor delivers some surreal, image-laden lyrics. There’s a sense of defiance about it that makes it a highlight.

Love Me, Little Lazy provides some mid-EP sultriness during a smouldering number. In The Meantime takes things in a ’90s rock direction. It blends seamlessly into the Americana-tinged Top Me Up before With All My Friends closes the EP in ponderous fashion during a final, waltzing highlight.

With his debut EP, Naylor Stone blends the traditional and the experimental beautifully. He’s certainly not afraid to take things in his own, unique direction and it makes for a compelling and interesting listen.

The Game of They is out now via Burn County. You can give it a listen below.