Walter Kocays releases brand new single

Manchester-based Walter Kocays is the moniker of an alternative folk artist who’s sonic output sees him craft bright music out of darkness. “Through my toughest period, came the realisation of the importance to create,” he shares on the endeavour.

Taking cues from artists such as John Martyn, Kae Tempest, Stephen Fretwell and James Blake, Walter Kocays embraces a live performance accompanied by violin, keys and bass, infusing his music with a potent blend of mesmeric beauty and melancholy. His lyrical writing explores themes of personal struggle, love and societal reflection, resulting in compelling musical moments that challenge and comfort.

First unveiling the project’s sound in 2022, he released the debut single under the Walter Kocays alias with “Observe,Don’t Try.” which was followed up by the sophomore single “Bird Bath” before the debut EP titled All My Love & Shame. which received high praise from the likes of BBC Introducing as well as radio support around the world.

Now he returns with a new release, bringing us his brand new single titled “Explicitly, I’ve Told.,” a song which recounts a story of love, loss and illusion. Penning a love song for the first time, a theme he’d previously avoided, “Explicitly, I’ve Told.” was born when the need to cover this topic became too great and the artist shed his reservations and expressed his emotions through song.

His use of songwriting as a cathartic outlet once again shines on this achingly emotive indie folk outing and his sonic mission of crafting relatable music has once again been realised in dazzling fashion. Opened by the soft rise of sonic texture, delicate string flutters break through the airy soundscape, backed up by gentle acoustic guitar notes which remain to carry Walter’s vocal leads. With his rich timbre and poignant lyrical writing, he crafts an intimate listening experience that paints a moving scene.

As the low tones of strings stretch out below the guitar, the contrast of sparse electronic percussion injects a mellow energy as the artist’s expressive voice threads memorable melodies while bending from soft moments where the charm of his Manchester accent breaks through to the soulful rises where it soars with power and grace in equal measure. Layers of reverb-drenched vocalisations form an atmospheric finale where the dance of strings and punch of percussion forms an epic crescendo to conclude this highly original and thoroughly enjoyable alternative outing that marks the return of this talented artist.

On the new single, Walter Kocays shares that “Explicitly, I’ve Told.” is “a declaration of love. As the music tells a story within itself, the lyrical content makes no apologies in its presentation of honesty towards the way in which I felt at the time of writing.”

Listen to Explicitly, I’ve Told. below

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