Folk Pop from Finlay Birch

From the coastal landscapes of Inverclyde to the creative refuge of the Isle of Mull, Finlay Birch has been creating a sound forged as much in atmosphere as in storytelling. Blending alternative folk, indie and soft rock influences, his music carries the reflective tone of someone deeply connected to the environments and experiences that inform his writing, resulting in songs that flow with patience and honesty, favouring emotional context and understated arrangements over spectacle and impact.

His journey as a recording artist began during the global slowdown of the pandemic period, a time when creativity for many musicians retreated into bedrooms and home studios. Working independently from his own room, he began releasing lo-fi recordings that captured the intimacy of that moment, revealing his musical vision with the debut single “Better Guy,” quickly followed up by his sophomore outing “Sunflower Girl.”

In 2022, Birch returned with his third single, “Young Soul” but shortly after that release, however, Finlay stepped away from sharing new music, entering a period of quiet that allowed him to reflect and continue writing away from public attention. Working alongside his long-time friend and producer Dylan Cooper, he began shaping what would become his debut album, Weight Will Unwind, a project that represents a significant moment in his artistic development, bringing together songs written over nearly a decade.

The collaborative process with Dylan played a central role in shaping the album’s atmosphere and across the record, Finlay explores ideas of emotional weight, quiet strength and eventual release. Marking his return to the music scene and offering the first taste of his upcoming record, the title track “Weight Will Unwind” was penned in a farmhouse kitchen on a stormy night on the Isle of Mull, capturing a moment of contemplation shaped by its surroundings.

Recorded live in the main room at An Tobar and Mull Theatre last November, the performance preserves the intimate performance of that moment, captured in a single live take before being expanded through atmospheric synth layers and multiple backing vocal arrangements. Opened by the playful bounce of bright strummed chords, warm vocalisations sweep across the laid back patter of percussion before Finlay’s soulful voice enters to cast an enchanting folk pop scene that gradually builds throughout.

Flowing with delicate melodic leads, heartfelt storytelling lyricism and lilting rhythmic sway, it’s a stunning musical experience that’s timeless, memorable and meaningful all at once. Making his welcome return to the music sphere in superb fashion, with his new single and forthcoming debut record, Finlay Birch is sure to confirm his status as a must watch singer-songwriter with a captivating musical offering.

Listen to Weight Will Unwind below

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