“Songs from Swan Street Vol. I” – Rhys Duursma

After the festive season slowdown, I’ve been itching to find some new music that really resonates with me. And then Rhys Duursma sent me a copy of his gorgeous debut solo EP, Songs from Swan Street Vol. I. I just know you’re going to get excited about it too.

Rhys’ press release describes this EP as a “three-year labour of love.” I can hear that dedication through this recording. While the sound is primarily stripped back, the lyrics are meticulously crafted, rich in details that encourage repeated listens. If you do the maths, the acoustic-driven sound makes sense. Rhys created these songs in his Swan Street home during the early stages of the pandemic, when he was unable to create music with his band Lowline or duo Mayfair Lane. During this period of social isolation, Rhys took a deep dive into the back catalogues of songwriting greats. Listening to these songs, he might just have learned a thing or two from them. Lyrically, this is one of the strongest EPs I’ve heard in some time.

The opening track “Same Old” sets the tone. We only hear Rhys’ voice and his acoustic guitar for most of the tune. It’s so stunning in its simplicity, a stark contrast to the full-band follow-up “Days Like This.” It’s more rock than folk, the kind of track I can imagine blasting on a road trip. The poignant “Didn’t He” takes us another left turn, revealing the deep bond between a brother and his sister navigating the ups and downs of relationships. We don’t sit in this quiet space for too long before Rhys amps up the energy again with the rollicking “Hey Ma,” an optimistic, upbeat song about big dreams left unfulfilled. “Charlie” is another gentle, finger-picking folk song that paints a rich picture of the eponymous character. The beautiful “Glenrowan” closes out this magical EP.

Apparently Rhys had already released a couple of singles from Songs from Swan Street Vol. I, but I went into this recording with fresh ears. I’m glad for that, because I got to experience these songs in their proper context, all at once. Individually they tell beautiful stories, but altogether they create a richer tapestry. I’m not sure whether Rhys will continue with the stripped-back sound that dominates this EP now that we’ve moved into a new phase of the pandemic, but I’m hoping to hear volume two.

Images used with permission from Rhys Duursma