Katie Keddie - “better man”
Photo by Carl Osbourn
Nottingham, England-based indie artist Katie Keddie has returned to us with another glorious offering of ethereal alt-folk: “better man.”
The soft strums of a clean electric guitar set “better man” in motion, instilling a warm, yet melancholic mood that is instantly enchanting. Keddie’s vocal arrives, exquisitely double-tracked and effortlessly flowing through the sparse arrangement. The vibe is distinctly lo-fi, leaving it to land directly within our niche.
As Keddie begins to reach into her upper register, a delicate vocal harmony emerges, as well as the subtle notes from additional stringed instruments, such as banjo. Instead of relying on a beat to propel the song forward, “better man” is built upon a gradual crescendo that rises to meet you like the swelling of the sea.
The song concludes with the refrain: “Lost my faith in eternity,” so it most assuredly hits our preference for a darker subject matter. The production leans quite heavily into intensity and dynamics, instead of dividing the song into clearly defined verses and choruses– not always the easiest feat.
Overall, “better man” is a delightfully introspective journey that you do not want to miss, and we feel that it will pair particularly well with those who have a penchant for soft sounds on rainy days.