Ben Howard proves surfers have a lot more to offer than just sun kissed locks and good tans

You know that feeling you get when you hear a track that makes you stop and think, “I can see this artist is destined for big things”? Well for me, Ben Howard manages to do just this on his earlier release titled ‘The Wolves’.

Its release was a follow up to his debut ‘Old Pine’, and came prior to ‘Keep Your Head Up’; the track that was recognized and praised by DJ’s and fans alike.

‘Keep Your Head Up‘ made Radio 1 DJ Greg James’ record of the week only just a few weeks back, and it was with its beautiful, positive vibes and soothing melody that captured attention of this new up-and-coming singer-songwriter. The calmness in Howard’s voice mixed with the soft acoustic tone of his guitar is the epitome of a perfect folk track, and resembles the likes of indie folk’s José González and an early Newton Faulkner. However it is with ‘The Wolves’ that I knew this young surfer from a seaside town from South Devon had just as much to offer as his predecessors.

It opens with soft vocals, an acoustic guitar and a slight drum beat that gives it its folky and up-tempo nature. As you get into the song, you find yourself tapping your foot to that beat that plays such a big part in this offering, compared with his more stripped back and intimate album tracks, ‘Old Pine’ and ‘Gracious, both of which feature on his debut album ‘Every Kingdom’. His husky notes are teamed with backing vocals throughout the latter of the track, giving it that epic feel that would lift anyone’s spirits. It certainly did with mine.

The religious references in the lyrics “We lost faith, in the arms of love” teams well with the chorus aspect of the vocals and the gospel-style of the lyrical echo of “love, love, love”, giving it such power and elevation, something many tracks regularly fail to convey.

‘The Wolves’, gives me the confidence to put it out there that Howard, could and will, easily, have the ability to become the UK’s equivalent to Bon Iver, an artist he is a big fan of, after such energetic yet subdued vocals and melodically gorgeous acoustics that give the folk genre a new lease of life in the music industry.

You can visit Ben Howard’s Official Facebook Page or MySpace Page for more information.