Memorial - “Silver”
Acclaimed alt-folk duo Jack Watts and Ollie Spalding, aka Memorial, follow up “Corduroy” and “Circle” with “Silver,” another rich selection from their forthcoming LP, Redsetter.
At the press of the play button, this alluringly folksy tune enters your ears in a vintage-tinged wave of sound, steeped in a prolific sense of nostalgia that will keep you coming back for more. There’s a distinct thickness to the production that we’ve noticed in everything Memorial has sent over to us, a tell-tale sign that they’ve utilized analog gear in its creation.
The creamy, retro charm of the rhythm section is a heavenly throwback to the sounds of yesteryear, conjuring the days when you’d thumb through your parents’ record collection as you fostered your future taste in music. This sound, alone, has left us completely enchanted with “Silver,” losing ourselves amidst it, coupled with the layers of acoustic guitar and piano.
Then there’s the fact that Memorial also throw in these delightful vocal harmonies, which, again, simply cements the classic, authentic approach to their songwriting. And while the arrangement is robustly populated, it is still very easy to imagine “Silver” being performed for you in your living room, as there is truly no evidence of digital manipulation or modern production tomfoolery.
From top to bottom, “Silver” is an exemplar of timeless folk music, remaining true to the craft and standing as evidence that the current generation of songwriters can cling to the sounds of the past while also providing hope for the future of music.