Will Pope, a folk musician from Rotherham, UK, gained attention with his first release, “Stormy Seas,” earning praise from Mahogany and Alexrainbird music. Recognized as The Soundsniffer’s One to Watch for 2023, he has since released several new songs that have been well-received and featured on official Spotify playlists like “Fresh on Friday,” accumulating thousands of streams. Pope’s distinctive style is influenced by his passion for Chet Atkins’ fingerstyle guitar, infused with elements of contemporary folk from artists like The Tallest Man on Earth and Luke De-Sciscio, along with vocal inspirations drawn from Jeff Buckley, reflecting his love for rock and soul music.
Will Pope’s new single “Black Bird Fever” stopped me in my tracks from the first note. His beautiful, healing vocals glide effortlessly over gorgeous guitar riffs that somehow feel both haunting and soothing. You can feel the pain and emotion in his performance – it’s raw and vulnerable.
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The song takes you on a journey through different emotional states, from sadness to realization. I understand this song was written during an incredibly difficult time for Will after losing his mother. You can feel the chaos of emotion in the lyrical imagery, like “my lovelorn canopy straight from the ghoulish place behind my eyes.” It’s clearly a very personal expression of trying to make sense of loss and carry on with life’s responsibilities.
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What impressed me most was Pope’s ability to use his voice in different styles – from breathy and ambient to full-throated singing to delicate falsetto – all with total control and ease. Star of the show, I would say. This folk ballad has definitely found a permanent place on my reflective playlists. On days when I need some musical balm, this will be the perfect thing to lift my mood and spark new insights. Will Pope is clearly a gifted songwriter and vocalist worth paying attention to. “Black Bird Fever” left me speechless in the best way.
Enjoy listening to “Black Bird Fever” by Will Pope here.
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