ALBUM REVIEW: BENJAMIN MULLINS “AMERICAN FOLK”
Like a gentle light that warms your heart in the darkest night, American Folk is tenderly luminous where the plucking of ukulele and silky strings weave into the folkloric storyland with Benjamin Mullins’s smooth vocal. The album sets its scene on a lazy afternoon, with light percussion, and intimate storytelling. Nothing too broad, and nothing too heavy, American Folk is light and delicate, looking at the world with a childlike wonder.
“Dream a river back to you love, pan the gold beside the banks of; Heavy dark, a trillion dead suns, needle point to hole and gun; Halt catch fire overload, light the spark explode” “Entropy” introduces a slightly different epic tone with layers of contrasting strings, creating meaningful imageries.
Benjamin Mullin’s lyricism never lacks depth or imagery. They read like poetry that floats in the air with a layer of mystery, like stars in the sky. Each song has a beautiful ring that fills the void with textures and imaginaries. It continues to vibrate even after the song has come to an end.
“Coconut Tree” has a childlike wonder that steps into the cheerful rhyme from children’s song with an American soundscape. Bouncy fiddles and mesmerizing melodies. The song adds a special touch to the album. “I see you standing there, wearing flowers in your hair
I can't wait now for the time, to meet you at the water line
I see you, you see me, let's get together under the coconut tree”
Written by Katrina Yang
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