Alternative Folk from Paul Arendt

Based in Delaware, Paul Arendt is a progressive folk artist who crafts a highly original sound through intricate arrangements and compelling lyricism. Unveiling his sound in 2019, he released his debut album I, Sunflower, offering the first snapshot of his unique sonic output across the ten-track release. Rooted in folk traditions but unafraid to experiment, his music offers something completely different and thoroughly worthwhile.

Now, following a five-year hiatus from sharing his music, he’s returned with his sophomore album, Forty Years in Babylon. This new record is a concept album at heart which uses the ancient city of Babylon as a metaphor for modern society, offering a poignant reflection on the turbulence of modern life. Through the album’s arching themes, Paul Arendt explores the decline of a once-mighty city, drawing parallels to the social and cultural fractures that characterise today’s world.

His music, particularly in Forty Years in Babylon, is a unique form of protest art. It carries the lyrical depth and complexity of artists like Joni Mitchell and Anais Mitchell, the haunting quality of Nick Drake and the mesmeric power of a band like Tool. However, Paul’s sound remains distinctly his own, driven by his stellar Spanish guitar work, which often feels as essential to the storytelling as the lyrics themselves.

Lifted from the LP, the fourth song from the album, “Theo,” offers the perfect taste of the latest chapter of Paul Arendt’s musical vision. This track distils the broad themes of the record, with its exploration of the fractured state of society, presented via a life-affirming conversation between two people who see the world differently, with Paul using the song as a metaphor for the divisions and misunderstandings that exist in life.

The song fuses elements of folk, spoken word and even rapid-fire rapping, offering an engaging listening experience even in the absence of a chorus or expected structure. Brought in by the playful flutter of acoustic guitar licks, Paul’s rich voice glides in to spin storytelling lyrics via lilting melodic delivery, hovering above the dancing flickers of lively guitar work.

Developing with swift dashes of rap-style flows that raise the energy and intensity, the intricate ebb and flow adds to the differing sides of perspectives, wrapped up in a truly original and enjoyable alternative folk jam. Paired with the single is the music video filmed at an old barn where Paul lives by talented cinematographers Kris Magyarits, Craig Needleman and George Magyarits. Featuring Paul performing the song cut with scenic shots to offer a superb visual accompaniment for the song.

Watch the music video for Theo below

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