South African born, New Zealand based Lee Martin brings us her latest single Feel. This is a great acoustic based track that captures a specific fan base right in the sweet spot. I shall endeavour to elaborate…

We have a soft, warm acoustic guitar, picked instead of strummed, sitting atop a creamy chocolatey bottom end that swoops in gently very early in the piece. It’s a restrained rhythm we find ourselves mentally, and emotionally, swaying to as Lee‘s gentle soprano takes us on a lilting journey along a sweet but not sugary melody. I get a touch of a Kate Bush track for the vibe and the orchestration – although Lee‘s vocal in nothing like Kate‘s.

The track is nicely balanced and mixed, and the minimal instrumentation fills it up all the way to the top for us. We don’t need over-produced phrases or loops on a number like this. Lee and her studio folk clearly know this. It’s a mature and refined song as far as studio work goes. The instrumentation and performance is professional and to the point.

I have a vid to mention. While as usual I won’t spoil the visual surprises, I can say that it’s gorgeously lit and paced, the content and context match the tempo, mood and message of the lyrics perfectly, and I love videos like this. Paradoxically the visuals are about exploring our own darkest spaces, but it’s an invitation, not a display. It’s warm, like a visual hug.

You’ll see what I mean when you see it yourself.

The lyrical tale is a good subject to probe. From the EPK:

Written from the perspective of someone caught in a familiar cycle, ‘Feel’ maps the searching for relief through substances or external escapes, chasing moments of numbness or connection, only to be met with the deeper lows and consequences that follow.

This will see some air on radio, and I would be extremely surprised if we’re not going to get some Juice and other TV exposure. It’s a folkie/indie/country vibe, so it can please many genres. Have a listen to it on a rainy Sunday afternoon, looking out at the world through your window. Or late at night in your room, the neon glare of the world outside your window. Let yourself sink into Lee‘s gorgeous timbre, and let her take you away.

This is really nice. Out on general release Friday 13th February on all platforms.