If melancholy-dipped acoustic folk is your thing, Benjamin Francis Leftwich's got it. 5 years after Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, the York singer-songwriter returns with After The Rain, a 12-track LP anchored by whispery tales of overcoming shit life may throw at you; Leftwich lost his father and battled w/ personal issues in the period between his debut and this album. The melodies and occasional electronic details are undoubtedly rooted in sadness and darker places of BFL’s psyche, but there is a calming quality that’s running through songs like “Mayflies,” Tilikum,” “Summer,” “She Will Sing,” and “Just Breathe,” which makes for a precious, ethereal listening experience. This is the indie-exclusive green vinyl version of the LP.

• limited-edition, indie-exclusive green vinyl pressing
• digital download included
• music label: Dirty Hit 2016

reviewed by donut savage 09/2016