When it comes to soulful folk music, look no further than Open Water and their latest album, Above The Waterline. Taking inspiration from their historic coastal town of Deal, this 11-track project perfectly captures the spirit and beauty of folk music. At the heart of Above The Waterline is the lead single, ‘Summer Cries’.
The use of layered guitars creates a warm bed for Open Water’s soothing vocals. Joanne Doolan, the band’s lead singer, was struck with a severe case of vocal damage back in 2017 – but thankfully, with the help of a fabulous surgeon and vocal recovery team, her voice is better than ever. It’s no wonder that ‘Summer Cries’ was chosen as the first single!
On the rest of the album listeners can find inspiration from the land and sea. ‘Lone Tree Hill’ details a chilling story about a soldier posted at Dover Castle while ‘The Tinker’ is dedicated to Richard’s Granddad and his craft of dolls house furniture making.
Joanne pays homage to her birthplace with ‘Mabinogion’ and ‘Rainbows End’ embraces the human journey of “letting go of the ego and following a simpler path.” This is an album with something for everyone – stories from a time long gone and tales of human endurance. Through their music, Open Water has captured the beauty and unity of folk music, allowing us to take an intimate look into the mind of the artist and the days of Deal.
Above The Waterline is now available across all streaming platforms, so don’t hesitate to check it out. This is an album that no fan of soulful music should miss!