Let's talk about this amazing band who was just featured in a "Rolling Stone" article: Forlorn Strangers. They're one of those bands that you have to see live. So here, in a more specified list, you'll find my favorite songs by them in no particular order. May you be graced by their angelic presence:
1. "Down in the Trenches"
"I was out for a walk when it started to pour."
Here's the band looking super serious at some beach. Aren't they all stunning?
This song is from their most recent album and has a more gospel-like feel than their first two EPs. It also features everyone's voices and was written by the stunning Hannah Leigh Lusk. Most of the songs don't feature all the singers so prominently, as one or two members are typically the center of the song while the others sing backup, but this one is unique because it features all five band members.
2. "The Light"
"I'm going where you're going it's you and me, it's you and me."
Before I heard their full-length CD, I thought "What I Don't Remember" was my favorite song, but then I heard this. Abigail literally has the voice of a thousand angels.
3. "What I Don't Remember" (EP Version)
This is my second favorite song, and it was written by the lovely and perfect Hannah Leigh Lusk. Whenever the band performs this live, she always gives a brief background story, saying that the inspiration for this song comes from not knowing what she wanted to do after college, a place I'm currently at.
4. "While the Grass Grows"
"You're free."
Watch the music video here.
This is my third favorite song, and it's the first on the "While The Grass Grows" EP. As each stanza progresses, more and more instruments are added, which makes this song unique in comparison to others, especially on their full-length album.
5. "Cleveland" (EP Version)
"I hate the way that I keep comin' back."
Here is the band, wonderfully and awkwardly photographed by Jennifer Elrod. Definitely check out her website. It's badass.
So this song is really depressing, but beautifully sung and written by Chris Banke. It features a man singing about Cleveland, a metaphor for a girl he once loved, and the need to be away from everything familiar, but simultaneously having the longing to be back.
6. "Fiddle, Boy"
"Be a memory for me, and only me."
This is Abigail Dempsey. She's literally perfection.
This song, especially in comparison to the rest of those on this list, is incredibly upbeat and whenever the band performs it, you can tell they always have a great time. Near the end of the song, most of the music stops and is replaced by this heavy-duty chain, which makes it more intense.
The first two songs from this list are on their full-length album while the last four songs are on their first two EPs. Although "What I Don't Remember" and "Cleveland" are on their full-length album, I actually like the EP versions of those songs better. All of their songs, not just the ones from this list, are incredibly well-written, have no-bullshit lyrics, and don't need auto-tuning, unlike nearly all pop singers today. Additionally, the band has this 'rule' that whoever writes the song performs it, which is incredibly different from most bands. Furthermore, each member plays like 70 instruments, most of which aren't typically used in bands today, another treasure in a world full of shitty music. Despite this band still being small, they've toured throughout the country for over one year and are continuing to do so in 2017. If you want to find out about them and how perfect they are (#goals) check out their website, and if you really want to hear all their songs, here's a playlist some awesome person put together on YouTube! If you're even more interested, here's a short interview the quintet did with Glide Magazine. If you want to see their new music video for "Leave It on the Ground" featured in "Rolling Stone," go here!
Go check them out or you'll regret it.
