[Disclaimer: I say this every year, but only because it’s important] Thanks to the generosity of these wonderful artists and indie labels, you can get all of these releases for free if you wish, but there is often the option to make a financial donation. For those of you that can afford it, a few pounds/dollars to reward all the hard work that goes into making a record seems like a fair deal. Plus, it really is a win-win situation as most of these independent bands put the funds they raise towards touring or making new music. So if you like an artist’s music, give a little something and they’ll make even more music for you to listen to, or even come to your town/city and play it for you in person.

That said, we know times are tough and albums many. Remember, money isn’t the only way to reward someone. If you like an artist and can’t afford to give them some money, why not write to them? Send an email or a tweet or whatever you can to say that what they’re doing makes you happy or sad (in a good way) and thank them very much for being so lovely/amazing. Better yet, spread the word too. Tell family and friends and strangers about them. It doesn’t take five minutes to write a nice message or share an album and you can really make someone’s day. Remember it feels really good to make someone else feel good – kindness makes the world go round after all.

We will be posting part of the list each day this week. As in previous editions, the music has been alphabetized by artist. In an attempt to reduce loading times and technical issues, we have decide against embedding a track from each release. But fear not, each post will include an 8tracks mixtape with a song from each artist, so all you need to do is press play and see what takes your fancy.

If you are an artist who makes great free music, or fan of an artist who you think should be included, why not get in touch? Perhaps we will decide to feature your music in the new year.

Part one – A – D
Part two – E – H
Part three – I – M
Part four – N – R
Part five – S – Z

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Syracuse, his new album, is very different from that record. The title track that opens proceedings is a strange and otherworldly spoken word piece that builds into something cinematic, the soundtrack of a weird old sci-fi film set in a future year that has already passed. It ends with an alarm clock sound just as the song was building toward a climax, as if Adem was exploring an alternate reality where he played with computers rather than guitars. It’s an effective opening that certainly makes you sit up to see where the album takes you next.

The album flits between with traditional songwriting with guitar strumming and experimental nods to other genres, refusing to sit nicely in the ‘folk’ box. With spoken word bits and different instruments appearing throughout, you never quite know what is around the corner. ‘St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church’ is an urgent message that John Darnielle would be proud of, and the next track ‘I am Alright’ is a regular folk song that you might expect after Armour, but then ‘I Am Not’ defies all expectations and does whatever the hell it pleases. It’s a tangled jungle of a song with snaking tendrils feeling in all sorts of directions from 80s electronica to hip-hop and rap and even a Paul Simon inspired ending.

There is something admirable about Kyle Adem. We mentioned last time that he left a career in buisness to pursue his creative ideals and that attitude is present on Syracuse. This is the record, these are the songs, listen to them. If they are hard to characterise then, frankly, that is none of his concern. Where he goes next will be very interesting to see.

Buy Syracuse now from the Kyle Adem Store or on iTunes.

The post Kyle Adem – Syracuse appeared first on Various Small Flames.