Blissful and serene, ‘Wayward Faith’ is the beautiful new album from Post-Folk songwriter Rapt
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- September 8, 2022
“There is a confidence and sense of ease that runs through this album which infuses each track with a comforting sense of self-assurance.”
Amie, IAMUR
Rapt ushers in the cooler days of Autumn with lush and mellow new album ‘Wayward Faith’. Spacious tracks that delicately deliver beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics, this is a spectacular collection of folk influenced songs. Bringing early Bon Iver and Bears Den to mind, Rapt showcases a mastery of melody and arrangement in this 7 track album.
Rapt is the Post-Folk project of UK based musician Jacob Ware, also known for his Death Metal band Enslavement. With Rapt, Ware explores another side to his creative voice, leaning towards ambient sounds and song-based folk influenced tunes. The breadth of Ware’s musical projects make listening to ‘Wayward Faith’ all the more interesting as you appreciate the range of voice this artist has.
His diverse discography shows a mastery of several styles of production, making the sparseness of this record more impactful. Songs focus mainly on guitar and vocals, with occasional flourishes of Piano, strings, and backing vocals that elevate tracks rather than overcrowding them. There is a confidence and sense of ease that runs through this album which infuses each track with a comforting sense of self-assurance. This album feels meaningful and sincere, each song drawing you into a different story.
“Rapt holds us in the palm of his hand as his guitar weaves a subtly complex web and his gentle vocals wrap around you to deliver these songs that comfort as they shift and meander.”
Amie, IAMUR
Gentle finger picked guitars and understated vocal melodies characterise this album, with lyrics that stem from everyday relatable imagery. Drawing influence from nature in many of the songs, the magic of this album is in its simplicity. Avoiding overcomplicated melodies and harmonies, ‘Wayward Faith’ allows each element of the track to shine through the mix.
Reverb soaked voices give a rich texture in songs like ‘Only Water’ and ‘Last Night in Exile’, and offer a beautiful contrast to the crisp sound of the guitar. Ware’s voice draws you into the story of each song, each word delivered with a deliberate weight, and a closeness that gives away a sense of intimacy. This closeness makes you listen in closer to ensure you catch each word.
‘Wayward Faith’ takes the listener on a journey through different soundscapes, starting with light sunshine in ‘Only Water’, progressing to a darker state in ‘Last Night in Exile’ and ‘Fifteen’. This journey is resolved with ‘New Pardoner’ featuring Luke De-Sciscio, which reintroduces the light with delicate guitar, light touches of piano and uplifting harmonies. The subtle contrast between each song, and the way they are held together with a cohesive production style, make this a compelling album to listen to.
Rapt holds us in the palm of his hand as his guitar weaves a subtly complex web and his gentle vocals wrap around you to deliver these songs that comfort as they shift and meander. Whilst this album is neither challenging or progressive, it contains a delightful magic in its confidence and mellow tone – exactly what is needed as the days draw in and the sunshine fades.
Listen to ‘Wayward Faith’ by Rapt on Spotify:
Find more about Rapt here, and check out his music on all major streaming platforms. Get in touch with the IAMUR team for coverage, reviews and interviews here.
