Keeley Boyle - “Honey Whiskey”
Photo by Nelson Kempf
Alaska-based singer-songwriter Keeley Boyle has completely swept us off our feet with “Honey Whiskey,” a tune from her new EP, Inviting.
“Honey Whiskey” begins with the sounds of some softly brushed percussion, elegantly tapping out the tempo as the gentle strums of an acoustic guitar fill in the gaps across the top. The gloriously warm tones of an upright bass soon emerge, imbuing the entire arrangement with an authentically vintage vibe, immediately sinking its hooks into the listener.
Boyle’s vocal arrives, delightfully raw and instilled with the same analog flavor as the rest of the elements. Her voice effortlessly delivers an honest and emotional performance, without the faintest trace of digital manipulation, and we are instantly fans. Some synthy remnants are utilized as padding, lending the listener a heaping dose of ear candy.
“Honey Whiskey” is a folk song that has been wonderfully injected with pop and jazz artifacts– it is equal parts Adrianne Lenker and Fiona Apple, but it is also a truly original composition that seems to only borrow from itself. And in its brief, two and a half minute runtime, it will take you on a tour of your own existence before nestling itself into your favorite playlist.