Ahead of her debut record, Highways, Denitia has been releasing a steady stream of singles over the past few months. Writing back in April, we described how the title track captured the bittersweet experience of life on the move. The upbeat song “embrac[ing] this nomadic spirit while recognising the value of connection too,” as we put it. “An ode to the road which is nevertheless unwilling to leave home behind.”

Latest single ‘All the Sweet Tea’ offers a similarly wistful atmosphere, as Denitia taps into bluegrass sensibilities to evoke the American landscape in all its nostalgic idealism. “Don’t wanna waste it / All these precious nights,” she sings, the wide-open space of the mountains and sunsets standing in for a sense of as-of-yet unrealised possibility. “We never know the day /
When we’re gonna fly.” The dream might not be as perfect in reality, but in times when outside forces impinge upon what we can have and where we might go, it is always nice to dream.

All the sweet tea in Carolina
All the sun that comes to dry up all the rain
All the mountain peaks in Colorado
They’re waiting there and
Calling out our names

‘All the Sweet Tea is out now and available from the Denitia Bandcamp page.

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Following up their new single, the slightly darker, off-kilter ‘Kosova’, Denmark are back with a brand new double single, I Know / Turn Me On. For the uninitiated, the two songs serve as a lovely introduction, the gentle guitar that opens ‘I Know’ encapsulating their careful touch. The track is a folk song bathed in a diffuse early-morning glow, all rounded edges and golden light.

There’s a hint throughout the track that the lightness will blossom into something brighter and more energized, though it’s not until the second song ‘Turn Me On’ that the rhythm picks up. Still, even with the tumbling piano, the acceleration is a matter of degrees, and in reality Denmark maintain their restrained atmosphere. The decision is inspired, and suggests a real confidence and focus. Slow builds to noisy crescendos are a dime a dozen, and it takes a nuanced hand and vision to craft something delicate yet equally arresting. In short, Denmark are firmly on our radar, and should be on yours too.

I Know / Turn Me On is out now and available from the Denmark Bandcamp page.

Album artwork by Hannah Bevens 

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