New England-based singer/songwriter Michael Suddes impresses on his full-length debut Out of My Hands — a moving, personal collection rooted in emotive folk charm and themes of renewal. Recorded at the legendary Sonic Ranch in West Texas and produced by Sam Weber, the album transforms pain and reflection into cathartic beauty, pairing Suddes’ vulnerable lyricism with warm, organic instrumentation. Spanning from the hushed introspection of “Back of My Hand” to the expansive glow of “Dragonfly” and the heartfelt devotion of “A Lost Art,” Out of My Hands is a fantastic output from Suddes.
“Back of My Hand” opens the album with serene introspection, pondering one’s purpose amidst layered guitars. That minimalist enjoyment then eases into the impactful “Dragonfly,” which infuses dreamy piano amidst trickling guitars as the vocals culminate into an affecting “we play by our own rules” catharsis. The track is an excellent showcase of Suddes’ knack for textural warmth, here illuminating past the two-minute turn with hazy enthrallment; it plays aptly amidst the retrospective lyrical sentiments within.
Another standout track comes in “A Lost Art,” an affecting portrayal of rediscovering love after a period of time rampant with grey skies. “What if everything about you was my favorite part? / In a world where staying together is a lost art,” Suddes sings, captruing the rare beauty of commitment and the vivid renewal that love can bring. Its mellow rock groove and ethereal, adoring vocals move enjoyably throughout. From the twangy harmoniousness of “Affinity” to the riveting finale “Secondhand Feelings,” Out of My Hands continues thereafter in its delightful, immersive songwriting.
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“Dragonfly” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
