Some people may already be familiar with the term “freak-folk” after coming across it a few years back, following the success of artists like Devendra Banhart and the Animal Collective. However, for those of you who have so far managed to miss this curious genre of music, please welcome Sea of Bees.
Sea of Bees – or Julie Baenziger, as she is called by those who know her best – has revived the name freak-folk to describe her own brand of music, which is currently on offer in the form of her new single ‘The Woods’. This latest effort is taken from her humorously-titled debut EP ‘Bee Eee Pee’ and precedes the UK release of her first album ‘Song for the Ravens’, which is due out in February.
‘The Woods’ is a calm-inducing acoustic track with an enchanting atmospheric quality that manages to both captivate and electrify the listener. Julie, who hails from Sacramento in California, possesses a voice that is almost childlike in its simplicity, yet still has all the intensity of a well-established singer. The guitar music may appear basic, but the vocals are more than enough to carry the song.
Sea of Bees may not be particularly well-known in this country as of yet, but with the album due out early next year it seems likely that we will be hearing more of her irresistible sound in the near future.
Stereoboard Rating: 7/10
‘The Woods’ is out now.
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