One can imagine Rhode Island’s Will Orchard thoroughly immersed in the writing and recording of his folktronica 2020 record Old Friends On The Mountain: the richly-layered instrumentation, the most-sincere emotion in the vocals, and the tranquility of it all are tell-tale signs of a sweet escape for the artist. As a listener, one is both witness and partaker of an experience carefully orchestrated for attentive ears. For both the sonic epicurean and casual listener, there is plenty to dab in, such as the serene acoustic strings of the opener “Until It’s Found,” which join an irresistible rhythm where Orchard’s voice reverberates. Tracks like “My Belly Is Full Of Hydrangea” are much more upbeat, and topped off with buttery smooth trumpet solos. There is an emotional tinge to the record, not a forceful one or so evident, just right for the man-nature connection it establishes. Listen to the heavy-exceptional bass in “Turning Back Again” from the new record below. – Rene Cobar
