Luna Keller - “Not Ready”

Germany-based singer-songwriter Luna Keller returns to us with another dark and soul-stirring single, “Not Ready.”

Admittedly, we have been drawn into the darkness that resides within the first half of Keller’s new record, Ocean Inside of Me, and “Not Ready” marks the turning point of the project, where Keller faces her mental anguish and declares war on depression. This is evident in the opening line, where, amidst the sounds of a delicately finger-plucked acoustic guitar, Keller sings: “I was never the one to give up.”

Still, there is just enough melancholy remaining within “Not Ready” to fill our niche for somber and gritty folk music, which has a lot to do with the manner in which Keller delivers her lyrics. Her voice is breathy and emotive, as though she’s performing the song right next to you– easily one of our favorite tracks from the album thus far (we probably say that with each new single from Keller).

She’s made it very easy to lose yourself within her sound. Not only is the subject matter deeply relatable, but Keller’s managed to make her music sound as though you’re having a private conversation with someone who trusts you completely with the entire contents of their heart. And as she reaches into her falsetto for the refrain, it is truly enough to bring you to tears, particularly if you, too, have traversed the darkness of mental/ emotional desolation.

The arrangement expands to welcome additional elements, such as a delicate vocal harmony and a gentle propulsion from a sparse rhythm section. But even upon the arrival of these new sounds, “Not Ready” never loses its humanness; the song remains firmly footed in its initial warm rapport, which is one of its aspects that has kept us returning for multiple listens.

Everything we’ve heard from Keller’s forthcoming record, Ocean Inside of Me, has been dark and emotionally-jarring, which is exactly what we look for in the folk music that we feature. Some of the songs have been very intimate, requiring a great deal of courage on Keller’s behalf, but it is her willingness to show her vulnerability and struggles with mental health that send her music directly beneath our skin, where it shall resonate indefinitely.

Connect with Luna Keller: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | X | Bandcamp

More from Luna Keller: “Overgrown“ “The Philosopher” “Invisible Wars” “Swallow The Sea”

-HD