Indie Folk from Owen Young

Owen Young is a Canadian indie folk artist whose music distils moments of reflection, storytelling and a connection to his roots. Hailing from Cayuga, Ontario, he started out with a background in fine arts from UCLA and a law degree from the University of Toronto, before eventually returning to his family’s acreage along the Grand River in Haldimand County. It’s here, surrounded by nature and history, that he crafts his own musical output.

Now sharing his musical vision with the world, he unveiled his original sound in 2021 with his debut EP On A Day Like That. Since then, he’s shared a string of well-received releases and now brings us one of his latest works with his new EP titled Three, the third instalment of his four-part album, Muddy River.

Unlike the previous chapters, the songs in Three explore themes sparked by the pandemic’s isolating and often disheartening impact. Comprising just three tracks, the EP is compact yet emotionally potent with each song standing as a reaction to the upheaval and soul-searching that defined the pandemic era. From a heartfelt letter to an old friend to a lament for the ideals of the Sixties and a scathing rant, the pieces come together to form a cohesive reflection on love, disillusionment and human connection.

Opened with “Voices In The Dust,” the EP starts off with the delicate plucks of acoustic guitar, setting a subtly lively lilting sway before the patter of drums sets a steady rhythm as Owen’s rich voice enters. Casting a timeless folk scene, his elegant melodic writing and poignant lyricism combine with the inviting arrangement to deliver a truly charming sound that’s heartfelt and memorable in equal measure.

“Runnin’ Down The River” follows with bright strums and expressive vocals which take on a spirited spoken word style to spin his picture painting lyrics in an engaging and catchy fashion. Presenting in a more stripped back setting cut with intricate lead guitar licks, it’s a delightful folk jam that frames his enduring songwriting in a playful and enjoyable arrangement.

Closing the EP with “That Could Have Been You,” layers of buoyant chords are met with the pulse of a walking bassline before Owen’s gentle vocals hover above. Taking listeners on an epic folk voyage that stretches across seven minutes, the laid back strike of drums injects a mellow groove as his melodic vocal flourishes deliver a superb finale to his stellar new EP.

Listen to Three below