Scott Apple releases debut album ‘Darling Citizen’

Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, singer-songwriter Scott Apple first made his entrance back in 2021 when he shared his sound with with world via his debut single “Nightmare.” Returning two years later for his sophomore effort “On Your Side,” this year the artist has enjoyed a flurry of creative activity.

First, linking with Andrea Marie on the single “Two-Tone,” he’s since dropped a string of well-received tracks in the build up to his most ambitious release to date; his brand new debut record titled Darling Citizen. Serving up ten tracks that offer the perfect snapshot of his sound, the album serves as a deeply personal work of art, distilling Scott Apple changes as an artist as well as a person.

Spanning five years of his life, the album is a reflection of his coming-of-age journey, where he wrestles with life’s complexities from pondering the vastness of the cosmos to the intimate moments shared in a living room with friends. The songs are rich with meaning, offering listeners a window into his soul as he sonically explores the highs and lows of existence.

Each track feels carefully put together, with melodies and lyrics that at once soothing and thought-provoking. It’s clear that Scott spent a significant amount of time writing and re-writing these songs to ensure they best represent his exact emotions and the result is a stellar collection of songs that feel truly honest and authentic.

Opened by title track “Darling Citizen,” the soft tones of clean guitar and stretches of organ combine to craft a delicate backing for Scott’s stunning vocal performance. Bending between soulful timbre and falsetto flourishes, his voice carries a mesmeric quality that pulls you in while the intimate arrangement gently swells with the gentle patter of percussive elements to form a stunning piece of alternative pop-focused folk music.

“Lemonade Daydream” injects energy with the rattle of shuffling drums and rhythmic vocal lines, resulting in a slick indie pop jam. With intricate guitar dashes and instantly catchy vocal hooks, it’s an epic showcase of Scott Apple’s wide appeal with a song that puts his songwriting flair on full display while tinges of psychedelic touches make for a unique take on modern pop music.

With “On your Side” his singer-songwriter talents shine as his rich voice rides the warm backing of guitar strums. With the lively drums and tempo switch ups adding exquisite rise and fall, the song builds to an emphatic crescendo where anthemic vocal layers dance alongside flashes of lead guitar to deliver a powerful and gripping listening experience full of twists and turns.

Other highlights on the record include his collaboration with Andrea Marie on “Two-Tone” where the two artists combine to lay down a smooth indie folk outing threaded with memorable pop writing. With a laid back rhythm and mellow guitar-based arrangement, their voices stack to craft a charming duet that draws on the best of both artists while revealing the collaborative spirit of Scott Apple.

“Posy” presents a hazy sound of guitar and piano tones capped by his expressive vocals. With the pulse of drums adding a rhythmic anchor, his overlapping vocals and whistled melodies hover above the shifting arrangement to create an enchanting sound of blissful melodies and poignant lyrical writing.

Closing the record with “Evergreen,” the soothing tones of acoustic guitar underpins his vocals before the instrumental elements of clean electric guitar, xylophone chimes and hushed drums tumble together. Gradually swelling in sonic energy and peppered with silky lead guitar work, the song offer the perfect finale to Scott Apple’s sensational debut album and we can’t wait to see what he’s got in store next.

Listen to Darling Citizen below