New EP Alert: Stylusboy, Back in the Day
From tea with the queen to enemy lines.
Low-fi indie-folk is everywhere these days and one artist supplanting the norm is Stylusboy, pseudonym of multi-instrumentalist Steve Jones, an irrefutable expert in feel-good vibes. Dubbed by Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music as “a leading light among today’s new generation of DIY digital troubadours”, the multi-faceted Coventry native even goes as far as hand-designing his own EP sleeves—folk goodness galore.
His brand-new EP ‘Back in the Day’ is a unique and heartwarming homage to the personal tales of six elderly individuals Jones encountered while volunteering with the Coventry-based charity Good Neighbours. The backstory is as wholesome as the record itself.
With sentimental indie-folk at its core, Jones’s rich storytelling and accessible melodies are also in the vein of country and gospel music, a welcomed twist on the trending genre.
The challenge of translating these personal stories to song is no mean feat but Jones rises to the occasion with care and respect for the source material. Reminiscent of contemporaries such as Athlete, Jones creates a collection of songs which is just instrumentally sparse enough to let the lyrics truly shine. After all, the lyrics convey the stories, and the stories are central to this concept record.
The human aspect is paramount as Jones reminisces ‘I deliberately planned to meet all the people and have a conversation with each of them before I started writing any of the songs.
The EP opens with the lauded ‘Fourteen Days’ which received extensive support from Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing Coventry and Warwickshire. This track recalls the experience of a World War II airman who was shot down behind enemy lines only to parachute himself to safety. He relied on the kindness of strangers and followed a railway line; whilst spending fourteen days eating wild fruit to sustain himself. It sets the record in motion; the guitar sound is bright and jaunty, reflecting the optimistic nature of the track amidst a tense narrative. Jones’s vocals are rich and intimate, safely guiding us through the song. The electronic effects are cleverly introduced and raise the track to its indie folk status. This hybrid approach is characteristic of Jones’s style. The vocals and instrumentation are expertly recorded by Jones in his home studio, The Truffle Room, hailing this as an almost one-man effort. Enter the sweet and subtle harmonies of Alva Leigh adding a welcome depth and intimacy which completes the song. Having previously collaborated on his former EPs, he humbly describes this solo venture as a ‘learning curve’ and recalls ‘when you’ve got your own studio space, it’s a beautiful thing but you can also get lost in a world of effects, synths, and beats’. It’s the double-edged sword of home-recording but Jones has the tenacity to stay true to the songs.
The succeeding track ‘Lift Your Voice’ veers deeper into gospel territory with its dangerously catchy chorus commanding a sing-along. It has a transportive quality, to a time and place where a forgotten tradition was encouraged and celebrated, the unpretentious ritual of the singsong.
Each story is more remarkable than the last, whether it’s leaving Jamaica for the UK and seeing snow for the first time or having tea with the Queen. Simply put, this record is a warm cup of tea for the soul. If you enjoy heartfelt lyrics steeped in sentimentalism and upbeat melodies aplenty, this won’t disappoint.
Released on the 28th of July 2023, Stylusboy’s EP ‘Back in the Day’ is available for purchase on Bandcamp now and all streaming platforms.
Julie Harrington
