John Stammers

Discovering John Stammers was almost like coming across an old record that has fallen down the back of your parent's music shelving, not least because the Mancunian folk singer very quietly released his self-titles 8 track debut, making few ripples in the press pond. The record exudes a quality rarely found on LPs today; one that speaks of patience, subtlety and a real care for not only the beauty of the music - which, thankfully, Stammers has in abundance - but also for the creation process itself.

This disarmingly understated folk album is reminiscent of the of the English folk heroes Richard Thompson and Nick Drake, yet despite his obvious heritage, and passion for the analog recording process (the sleevenotes proudly proclaim the painstaking process undergone to record the album, from its first vinyl pressing to its digital mastering), he has managed to forge a sound that holds its own, avoids being weighted with the 'timeless' yoke and appeals on its own, more grounded levels, with great tracks such as the opener 'Idle I'm' and the folk-country jaunt of 'Hit Me From Behind'.

Despite its somewhat short length, which can leave you wanting for more, John Stammers is superb summer album, my favourite new discovery this year, and an artist crying our for more listeners. I expect great things over the next few years, though if this is anything to go on, I don't think John Stammers is in any hurry.

You can listen to John Stammer's self-titled album on Spotify now, for free:
John Stammers – John Stammers