One of the leaders in the resurgence of folk that has occured over the past 18 months or so are Noah and the Whale, and I was delighted to find this title track off their new album entitled entitled “The First Days of Spring” pop up in my inbox this morning.

This new track seems to mark a bit of a change in direction for the band, moving a little away from their happy clappy folk roots of their debut, to a more reflective and grand sound which reminds me in parts of Mercury Rev and Sigur Ros.

The same slow pace and hopeful lyrics remain, but this time the claps and strummed guitar are subtly moved aside by beautiful and emotive string movements creating a more atmospheric and fully developed sound. Noah and the Whale have grown up and if this title track is anything to go by, they will have again demonstrated what sets them apart from the recent crop of imitators.

Noah and the Whale – The Fist days of Spring
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