Steven Van Betten Shares Ideal Day, Drops Friends & Family LP

We’ve been covering Steven van Betten‘s latest release pretty nonstop as singles roll our way, and today you’ll get to hear the record in its entirety, but wanted to spin one more focus track your way. This is one of the briefest tunes on the album, but the way van Betten comes out of the gate with this really light vocal over carefully picked strings really stuck with me; it’s got this great joy that’s really indescribable. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, the song slowly adds in a sprinkle here and a sprinkle there, adding texture that grows the song before your eyes, like some magical video of a flower going from seedling to full bloom. Be sure to check out all of Friends and Family today, courtesy of Future Gods.

Steven van Betten Shares New Single

When you first hit play on this Steven van Betten tune, you might suspect that it’s just another sunny beach vibe going through your speakers. That being said, there’s this playful little quick rising vocal that’s what turned the song into more of a coy bit of bouncing pop, almost hanging its hat on a nod to baroque brands of indie rock, albeit done merely with the joyous rise of notes. I sort of get an early Cate le Bon nod here, especially in the vocals, so I appreciate a little bit of risk getting thrown into the modern plot of bedroom pop. You’ll hear more great songs on Steven’s new LP, Friends & Family, out October 27th via Future Gods.

Steven Van Betten Shares Yosemite Video

Seeing as it is vacation season around the States, it makes sense to include “Yosemite” as one of our pieces of coverage today, as that’s one of America’s most popular destinations. But, more important should be the craft and care put forth in the song coming from Steven van Betten. There’s this closeness that Van Betten carries in his vocal approach here; he feels as if he’s serenading you from a few feet away, sweeping you away in the emotional way his notes seem to just flutter in the air. While the tune begins with a light strum, it begins to build in some nice little piano flourishes and light drum sweeps, building this deepened texture that certainly makes the folk spring through the speakers. Steven will be releasing Friends & Family via Future Gods this November.

Steven Van Batten Shares Mother

When I clicked on this Steven Van Batten tune, there was something in the delicateness of the guitar that led me to worry that the song itself might be too fragile. Van Batten’s voice, too, takes on that softness, like a parent stroking their child’s head in moments of assurance/love; it keeps your ear right next to the speaker, carrying your fears far far away. It’s one of those intimate songs that is likely to haunt you for years down the line, eager to provide you solace whenever you need. Look for Steven’s Friends & Family LP this July via Future Gods.

Chilled Groove from Dirt Dress

dirtydressingI honestly don’t really know how to pigeonhole Dirt Dress (I know you’re probably thankful for that); they definitely have this groovy vibe with those sunny Cali vocal recordings, but I don’t feel like the music they’ve crafted on this latest single really has a lot of compatriots. It’s actually kind of refreshing, and I love the fact that the guitar seemingly wobbles out of key, though clearly its done with purpose. You’ll enjoy the mini-pop explosion near the end with its touch of horns and keyboards.  Look for their new Revelations EP on November 4th via Future Gods.

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