Whitecaps On The Hudson

Whitecaps On The Hudson by BLOCK is an achingly beautiful acoustic alt folk project that transcends tones and identities to create this sense of contradictory beauty and overwhelming power. The anti-folk movement is seeing more of a resurgence as of late, with more in the mainstream becoming aware of the leaps that were made in the 80s. This reaction to commercial folk has created a genre with its own boundaries and rules which has shaped a sound that is honest at its core. That tone comes through in the first track, Black Eyed Susan. The track has a languid, melancholic tone that is built by layers of strings overlapping with varying styles.

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The harmonica is the star of the show here, expressing a tonne of emotion through the twisting sonic tapestry it covers. The way it soars over the rest of the composition paints this picture of a countryside sunrise above a bubbling brook. The harmonica is the sun and the layers of intersecting strings are the stream below it. The way these different sonic aspects interact with one another is wonderful to listen to. There is clearly great detail put into every aspect of this project and by stripping back musical layers, it puts every part that is there under the spotlight. With nowhere to hide in the mix, each aspect shines even brighter. In this track and the project overall, the candid emotion behind the music is what leaves the lasting impression. Another great track, on the other end of the project’s sonic scale, is Somebody Beat the Wizz. The track communicates pressure, energy, and dramatic fervour through the intersecting layers of melodic sound. This is further emphasised by the emphatic drums which crash and hiss throughout the track. The vocals emphasise this emotional rise through their monotone contrast. This project excels in the quiet moments as significantly as it does in the loud, bold moments. This shows an intricate awareness of the anti-folk sound at the core of BLOCK’s identity. Whether it’s relaxing into a gentle morning or getting your heart pumping with bold rhythms and intersecting melodies, this project excels because of its commitment to simplicity and emotional honesty.