New to our blog, David Schaefer has hit our radar through his personal new mystic-folk album, written during a period of profound unrest in his life.

By Graeme Smith

David Schaefer writes classic, poetic folk in the vein of Cat Stevens, David Grey, and (my personal favourite) Conor Oberst. Based in Austin, Texas, USA, his first studio album is called Beloved.

The self-affixed ‘mystic-folk’ label works perfectly for David’s sound, combining the rawness of acoustic guitar with something a little more otherworldly. Throughout Beloved, we are treated to his expressive vocals and thought-provoking and emotional lyrics, starting right from album opener Play It Safe.

As the album progresses, the emotion doesn’t let up. Asleep At The Wheel is a powerfully melancholic moment. Dangerous is one of the album’s livelier tracks, injecting elements of psychedelia into proceedings while At Long Last and Spanish Lime keep things upbeat leading into the halfway point.

Title track Beloved sits at the heart of the album, giving us tenderness and nostalgia. Year After Year canters along with some moody country. The Seer & The Seen is stripped-back and smouldering, giving plenty of space to its storytelling lyrics. Psalm (Into Life) proves a soulful highlight before Light Brigade closes the album in delicate, soaring style.

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