Holly Arrowsmith - Album Review: For The Weary Traveller
Nestled
in the Queenstown mountains, Holly Arrowsmith’s debut album For The Weary
Traveller was created. This charmingly crafted album is full to the brim with
acoustically emotive pieces, beautifully written and thought provoking lyrics
and an earthy sounding voice. Holly’s music exudes a maturity that far exceeds
her age. At only twenty one, I can’t believe we are the same age!
The title for this album was appropriately chosen after Arrowsmith and her husband travelled the gorgeous land of New Zealand for a summer, exploring the country in a van. On their travels they met many vibrant and interesting people, providing many inspirational memories to create content for her album.
Mouth Of The Morning is a lovely introduction, with soft acoustic guitar picking, and Holly’s moving voice, this song is bursting with emotion, especially near the end, when the tempo is increased and drums are added, the atmosphere fluctuates and creates a wonderful wall of sound.
Voices Of The Youth has a sweet naïve quality. A girl confessing she does not have the answer to everything. A toe tapping tune, that makes you feel good, one of my favourites on the album.
Lady Of The Valley has a stunning introduction, starting with an atmospheric distended electric guitar, which swells and ebbs throughout the entire piece, creating an eerie piece. Along with Voices Of The Youth, this was another of my favourites. I believe this showcases Holly’s song writing immensely, and would have loved to have heard more pieces that used similar instrumental tools. Taking such risks may be a great benefit to her future, and there is proof that she has the talent to pull it off with this song.
That being said this album is one that is full of honesty and nostalgia. It is a time capsule of memories. Listening to this album it is no wonder Holly has already showcased at The New Zealand Country Music Awards, Rhythm And Alps, Rhythm And Vines and opened for internationally acclaimed folk artist Rodriguez. Listening to Arrowsmith’s album it is clear that she is a name in folk best keeping an eye on.
About Holly Arrowsmith
A strong forerunner in New Zealand’s Folk Revivalist movement, Arrowsmith has won the hearts of music lovers close to home and abroad, touring throughout Australia and North America and sharing stages with Sixto Rodriguez, CW Stoneking, Tami Neilson, Jessica Pratt, Nadia Reid, Marlon Williams and Tiny Ruins.
NPR described her music as "Utterly beautiful, anchored by a voice that pulls you close and cancels the noise outside". In 2020 she was awarded the APRA Country Song of The Year, after receiving the Tui Award for Folk Album of the year in 2017.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Holly Arrowsmith
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