Lawson Hull - “Canada ‘17”
Photo: Ashley Cooper
Australian singer and songwriter Lawson Hull has just won us over with his latest release, “Canada ’17.” The track is loaded with a heavy dose of nostalgia, reminiscent of the time he spent exploring Canada with his wife. But no matter how personal this song might be to Hull, the beauty is that listeners will likely find pieces of themselves within it as well.
We’ve been featuring indie folk for so long that we often forget that there’s another way to play an acoustic guitar– strumming. And that’s exactly how “Canada ’17” opens, warmly setting us up for Hull’s endearing vocals to begin. Upon the first line of lyrics, a careful listener may catch a tone akin to Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers– admittedly one of the things that first sold us on this song. The words flow out of Hull effortlessly and honestly, painting a grand portrait of the Canadian landscape while also displaying his raw tenor, which sounds as though it went straight to tape, bypassing any sort of processing that may have otherwise choked out the emotion. These vocals are the real deal and the gold for which we often pan while sifting through submissions.
“Canada ’17” has that sensation we frequently find ourselves seeking– Hull could just as easily be performing it in the next room, at a coffeehouse, or in an arena. It’s a track for city slickers to play in the car as they long for country roads; it’s a song to play when you’re in love or when you’re missing someone. Regardless of who you are or why you listen, “Canada ’17” is bound to earn its spot inside of your favorite playlist.
“Canada ’17” comes from Hull’s upcoming EP, Mountain Days, due out on February 11th. Hull describes the EP: “Isolated in nature, the songs of the EP are bound together by all the things that make writing up here feel special… It’s running up the mountain between bouts of creative block. It’s the getting distracted by squabbling parrots out the window. The hosting of backyard parties with bonfires and loud music, or a quiet cup of tea in the morning with my wife.”
-TM