There is something about the acoustic version of a song that changes the essence of it and transforms the entire experience of listening to it. The electronics and harsh instruments are stripped back, and all that's left is the strong voice of the singer and the soft sound of a piano or acoustic guitar. Here are six songs that can be found on either the Mahogany Sessions YouTube channel, the Burberry channel's Acoustic Playlist, or the 3ème Gauche channel.
1. "I Found" by Amber Run
Amber Run is an English band that I discovered on an episode of "Teen Wolf." This version of their song "I Found" is filmed in an old church and completely acapella.
2. "Flaws" by Bastille
I know that Bastille's song "Pompeii" is overplayed and old, but give them a chance and listen to this amazing version of "Flaws" that was filmed in Le Petit Palais, an art museum in Paris. They picked this space because it was small enough and bare enough to create an echo as the music bounced off the walls.
3. "Know Me Well" by Roo Panes
Roo Panes is a fantastic model-turned-musician who I found through Burberry Acoustic. This song is filmed at sunset on a roof in London, which adds to the beauty of the music. It also helps that there is a cello, since that alone can add an extra dimension to just about any song.
4. "Waiting Game" by Rachel Clark
One of the best things about Burberry Acoustic is that they tend to feature new, up-and-coming musicians. Rachel Clark is a perfect example of an amazing singer who thrives on this kind of exposure on the internet. Her voice is mellow and melodic, stuck in the perfect range and not overpowered by her guitar.
5. "Let All Go" by RHODES and Birdy
This song is from RHODES's debut album "Wishes." Their voices blend so beautifully together, accompanied only by two pianos. Birdy's voice is so light that it flutters and flies throughout the old room they are in.
6. "My Type" by Saint Motel
This is one of my favorite acoustic covers because the original version of this song is so full of strong instruments. It's nice to only hear the singer's voice, acoustic guitars, and a saxophone.
When I find a new band, one of the first things I do is get on YouTube and try to find either a live version of a song I've heard or an acoustic version. It shows me the differences that were made in the studio and the strength of the singers' voices. The stripped-down versions of the songs show me that the band will still sound amazing live and that I won't be disappointed and waste my time listening to something that will be completely changed if I am in the same room with them at a concert. But this works the other way, too; when I fall into the YouTube rabbit hole and start to click random band links, the acoustic versions will tell me if I should listen to more of their music. I hope this list will show you some bands you'd never heard of and give you a newfound appreciation for bands that you already knew.
