It’s quite rare for the opening titular track of an album, especially so a folk one, to impact me as strongly as ‘I See The Birds’ from Rob Quo. The album is a culmination of an intense 12-month period of recording which has seen the release of 4 five-track EP’s from Rob Quo (London-based up-and-coming singer/songwriter from rural England) and producer Gus White as well as multi instrumentalist Sam Crooks. ‘Now I See the Birds’ is a simply transcendent record that contains in its short five track long run moments of deeply emotional magic that make you fall in love with what folk music stands for.
The title track to me is the highlight I fell for. The minimal acoustic work, and the restrained but clearly passionate vocals just resonate so much with any listener. The chorus, which features Rob singing the titular lines is so deeply pleasurable, especially when the larger string section comes to to give it an additional layer of emotional depth. Rob Quo’s style of folk is definitively traditional, penning songs that place narrative and emotional depth above larger than life production work. There’s a keen sense to detail in the arrangement, but it’s never allowed to be overbearing or enveloping. Rather, it maintains a minimalist approach to allow for Quo to express his stories wholeheartedly.
There’s a consistency across this album, with no track veering too far away from the standard set of sounds and progressions that Quo brings out. But it’s a magical record nonetheless. So innately mellow and soothing, each song is its own melodic and harmonious journey that leaves you absolutely floored and at ease.