New music is always popping up everyday. Everyone wants to get out there and be noticed, so they try their best to come out with exciting and original material. One group that has really stood out to me is this band called Judah and the Lion. They brought their own sound to the table, introducing this new genre called "folk hip hop". What this means is that they use classic bluegrass instruments like banjos and guitars, but they add pop beats and fast lyrics to give it that hip-hop feel.
Originating from Nashville, Tennessee, the band began to really take off when their single, "Take It All Back" made it to the top of the music charts. From there, they only went up. Their success hasn't made them exactly a "mainstream" band, but enough to have a significantly large fanbase.The group also got the opportunity to tour around the world with artists such as Twenty One Pilots and Jon Bellion, which are both known for their out-of-the-box music styles as well. This gave them the exposure they needed to get their name out their and create their own brand.
What's interesting about this group too is that they started out as a Christian folk/rock band. Their first album was based off biblical allusions and resembled the kinds of songs you'd hear during worship at church. Then, like any band, they outgrew their sound and began to branch out more. From here they went more towards the hip hop route and added new sounds to help make their new music more unique. From here, it was a matter of time until they created folk hip-hop.
Suit And Jacket is a personal favorite of mine because it depicts the average life of someone who has to face the fact that they have to grow up. This is relatable because I'm finally reaching that age where I'm starting to embrace adulthood and have accepted the fact that my adolescent years are behind me. It's refreshing to be able to find artists who write about real world problems and not glorify the lifestyle of the rich and famous. You don't see that much these days.
Overall, their music is absolutely phenomenal. Going To Mars is another one of their songs that perfectly portrays their style and how they represent themselves as a band. It's hard to find genuine and vulnerable artists who are willingly to expose themselves through their music, and Judah and the Lion do exactly that. They sing about your darkest fears and thoughts that manifest the deepest parts of your head.
The group is going on tour in early 2018 for those of you who are interested in checking them out live!
