A riveting folk success, “blow the man down, johnny” is the second single from Stuart Ironside‘s new album, Music from Somewhere Else: The Enclosure. Playing like a traditional sea shanty within a reflective, modern arrangement, the track envelops withs its memorable atmosphere and composition. Rooted in Liverpool heritage, where Ironside’s mother is based, the piece marks a turning point in the artist’s creative lens, introducing the sound world of this new album with gentle, flowing guitar work that feels both grounded in tradition and quietly adventurous.
“blow the man down, johnny” feels alive in its structural progression, expanding from calming ocean-set contemplation to trickling whimsy — moving with capricious beauty like currents of water. The ambience of the sea, washing gently ashore, combines with tender and subdued acoustics to start — then quickly expanding into a brisker demeanor, as the guitar work assumes a more prancing, illuminated character thereafter.
By the mid-point, corresponding guitar layers mingle with seamless entrancement — interplaying with especially absorbing melodic enjoyment past the three-minute turn. These final couple minutes further convey a hypnotically gripping folk soundscape, fit for the endless feeling of the open ocean, though also land-bound contemplation. Alternations between subdued guitars and more effervescent strides delight across this final minute, culminating in a wholly sating, warming conclusion. “blow the man down, Johnny” is a beautiful folk showing from Stuart Ironside.
Stream the album in full, below:
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The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
