We prepare our backpack and put on our hiking boots. Within our bags? An ode to the freedom and lightness of travel, a song that inspires curiosity, a love letter to the beauty of untamed nature and its almost therapeutic healing power.
Scottish-American indie folk musician Ferester released a song on May 14th called ‘High Hope‘ which ought to be on everyone’s summertime road trip and travel playlist.
Ferester, whose sound falls somewhere between Hozier and Noah Kahan, invites his audience to accompany him on his journey through music and the development of his art on social media. He seems to have comprehended the significance of audience engagement and established a connection with them over time. While doing so, he radiates authenticity and comes across as personable. His music? It radiates a feeling of freedom, lightness, the beauty of the present, and an escape from the grind. A prime illustration of this is the most recent release, ‘High Hope’.
The song is a declaration of love to his homeland, since Spencer O’Grady, alias Ferester, is from a small, quiet, and idyllic village in the Scottish countryside. His music allows you to fully immerse yourself in this world, regardless of whether you have ever visited this stunning, untainted landscape. Perhaps the song even gives the listener the chance to take a brief mental vacation from their reality.
The song commences with a gentle acoustic guitar. There is a touch of melancholy in the air. A sense of longing is sparked by the track’s opening notes, which are melodic, peaceful, and dreamy. In conjunction with a clear, expressive, and emotive voice, Ferester employs vivid descriptive imagery. The song, according to him, is a love letter to the Scottish countryside and the sense of fulfillment he experiences while being out in the mountains, emphasised by lyrics such as: „Rain drops falling heavy on the mountain tops, (…) sunrise, blooming daffodils and creaking pines, an epiphany golden light, cold rugged land, you heal me like you can’t understand. I’m lost in the wild and I’ll probably be gone for a while.“ It’s a song that makes you want to go out into the world, escape the daily grind, go offline, connect with nature, feel the wind in your hair and the sun’s rays on your skin, listen to the birds singing, run through meadows and upon reaching the top of a mountain, close your eyes, take a deep breath and appreciate the beauty of life. Indeed, the song is filled with pure wanderlust and adventure.
The soundscape becomes increasingly complex and vibrant in the second verse. Some changes include adding a stronger beat, soft piano notes and backing up vocals. The energy appears more dynamic, the yearning is even more intense, and the praise and love for nature and its healing effects are evident in every line. The song envelops the listener in a sense of lightness and dreaminess before transitioning to a gentle, loving, and calming tone toward the end, which completes the overall work.
‘High Hope’ is Ferester’s second release of the year, following ‘Hue‘, and provides a preview of the artist’s future musical endeavours. Let‘s remain curious. Nevertheless, if you’ve been waiting for the perfect addition to your summer playlist: your prayers have already been answered.
Written by: Vanessa Svejkovsky
Edited by: Marieke Weeda
