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Séamus Foley – ‘Into the Night’ review

UK-born Americana artist and acclaimed singer-songwriter, Séamus Foley releases his new 6-track EP, ‘Into the Night’ on February 24th. It combines influences of Americana, folk and country. All the songs on the album cover struggle in some form, whether that’s through feelings of loss, the feeling of the road calling or more simple reasons such as having writer’s block. 

Although Foley was born in Manchester to an Anglo/Irish family, the album feels steeped in Americana with acoustic guitar and pedal steel layered throughout the recordings. The UK has been adding homegrown artists to the Americana and Country genres in recent years and their own takes are adding too the creativity of the forms. As Séamus further explains, “This EP came about after I recorded the single (of the same name) remotely during lockdown. I realised I wanted to further explore these ways of recording, which were new to me, to see where this group of songs could go. I had enjoyed working with Miles and the musicians on the first recording so much and it was very exciting. Most of the arrangements came easily and the recording process was lots of fun, as well as an interesting challenge”.

The combination of CJ Hillman’s pedal steel and electric guitar alongside Foley’s acoustic picking opens ‘Into the Night’ with a strong musical hook, enhanced by Lee Smith’s train drum beat whereas the following track ‘Letters To Victoria’ brings with it a sense of sadness. The five and a half minute offering is a slow burner with Foley’s vocals shining through and an elegant guitar and pedal steel intertwined solo section bringing a nice added touch. 

The haunting, folk tinged ‘Black & White’ is a standout track on the album with its hybrid picking guitar and double layered vocals creating a simple yet effective listen. It’s easy to imagine it on a folk stage as well as part of an acoustic live lounge session. ‘Colorado Skies’ builds upon this formula with some added instrumentation; a kick drum developing into a snare roll and further layering of guitars. It tells the tale of being on the road as a musician and the often overlooked realism of the situation; will things go well or not? 

‘The road is calling and I need to go. Our paths seem to always fall, see me next time, meet me in New York, famous streets we’ll walk. Road is calling and I need to go. Don’t know if I’m going to burn out bright but I love the stars too much to fear the night’. 

Séamus describes his music as a mixture of several different styles, all essentially based around the guitar. “I grew up listening to a wide variety of music,” he explains, “and I have never been drawn towards being a purist of any particular genre. It’s folk, rock n’ roll, country, pop, blues and more but none of those things in their original form. Being able to mix and change styles has always been part of who I am as a songwriter.”

The best is saved until last with ‘Old Rivers Flow’, with Foley taking the responsibility of guitar, keys and vocals alone. It has a somewhat Beatles-esque feel to it with his combination of major and minor chord voicings. The recording is almost raw to a degree without any heavy reverbs added to the vocals. It sounds as if you’re in the room with Foley himself.

‘Into The Night’ is a solid six track offering from the Manchester native and it’ll be exciting to see him build further upon it. 

Track List: 1.Into The Night 2. Letters To Victoria 3. Black & White 4. Colorado Skies 5. Ground 6. Old Rivers Flow Record Label: Self release Release Date: February 24th Buy ‘Into the Night’ Now

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UK-born Americana artist and acclaimed singer-songwriter, Séamus Foley releases his new 6-track EP, ‘Into the Night’ on February 24th. It combines influences of Americana, folk and country. All the songs on the album cover struggle in some form, whether that’s through feelings of loss, the feeling of...Séamus Foley - 'Into the Night' review