A duo consisting of Ed Prosek and Drew Southall, Driftwood Choir are featuring on our blog for the first time through their new, self-titled album.

By Graeme Smith

Though Driftwood Choir are new to us, Drew isn’t. We ran the rule over his EP The Place to Start, released under the moniker Portair, back in 2023. In my review, I was impressed by the Australia-born, Los Angeles, USA-based artist’s philosophical approach and multi-instrumental abilities.

Driftwood Choir feels like a distinct but adjacent endeavour. Joining forces with the California-born, Berlin, Germany-based Ed, the album gives us a rich sound with plenty of points of view.

Things get started with the slow and meditative flow of The River. Delicate acoustic guitar forms the bed of it, while Bon Iver-esque electronic overtones and soulful vocals bring the atmosphere and emotion. Ed and Drew’s vocals pair nicely during a harmonious chorus.

From there we get nine more meditations which range from the gentle and organic (Faded Evergreen, Carry By Hand, Blue Light Escape) to the adventurous and anthemic (Way Back Home, Constantinople, Call Me Home). A bad dream from an old life is a melancholic midpoint. Title track Driftwood Choir provides a slow-burning highlight towards the end of the album, and things are rounded off dreamily by Everything Moves.

Ed and Drew’s chemistry is palpable across the album, as is their wanderlust and shared love for boundary-pushing folk. Their new album is magnificently lush.

Driftwood Choir is out now and you can give it a listen below.