Bittersweet

Forest – Forest

Style: Wyrd Folk

Vibes: Flowing, Forest, Bittersweet, Longing, Intertwined, Romantic, Ethereal, Medieval, Sentimental, Pastoral, Breakup, Mellow, Morning

Instrumentation: Mandolin, Harmonium, 12-String Guitar, Cello, Harmonica, Organ, Pipes, Piano, Electric Harpsichord, Percussion

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Sandy Denny – Sandy

with Richard Thompson, Dave Swarbrick, Allen Toussaint

Style: British Folk-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Country Rock

Vibes: Flowing, Longing, Existential, Passionate, Heartfelt, Lonely, Bittersweet, Sentimental, Melancholy, Autumnal, Confident, Anthemic

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Mount Eerie – Night Palace

“Recorded music is a statue of a waterfall”

Style: Experimental Songwriter, Drone Rock, Avant-Folk, Post-Rock, Slacker Rock, Black Metal-Influenced

Vibes: Animist, Foggy, Forest, Majestic, Intimate, Expansive, Poetic, Nocturnal, Windy, Oceanic, Epic, Winter, Raw, Mystical, Eclectic, Introspective, Reflective, Bittersweet, Cold, Rainy, Conscious, Sensual, Melancholy

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HOOD – Cold House

Style: Post-Rock, Slowcore, Glitch-Pop, Dub-Influenced, IDM-Influenced, Hip-Hop influenced

Vibes: Autumnal, Lethargic, Melancholy, Haunting, Hypnotic, Sombre, Intertwined, Reflective, Depressive, Winter, Bittersweet, Cold, Introspective, Soothing

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BIG|BRAVE – A Chaos of Flowers

featuring Patrick Shiroishi, Marisa Anderson, Tashi Dorji

Style: Doomgaze, Slowcore, Post-Rock, Drone Metal, Noise Rock

Vibes: Introspective, Poetic, Gloomy, Cathartic, Funereal, Bittersweet, Heartfelt, Sombre, Patient, Deconstructed, Intimate, Western, Melancholy, Powerful, Depressive, Haunting, Brooding, Winter

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Richard Thompson – (guitar, vocal): A Collection of Unreleased and Rare Material 1967-1976

This eclectic compilation features Richard’s work with Fairport Convention, Linda Thompson, and solo. The first LP has a few great tracks (“A Heart Needs a Home”, “Poor Will and Jolly Hangman”, “The Ballad of Easy Rider”), but also a lot of unoriginal and dated filler that were “unreleased” with Fairport Convention for a reason (especially the Chuck Berry cover). The real magic happens on the second LP, where each side comprises a short solo instrumental paired with extended live renditions of passionate classics with Linda (Calvary Cross, Night Comes In).

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Bon Iver – 22, a Million

Style: Glitch-Pop, Art Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Vibes: Cryptic, Surreal, Mechanical, Mystical, Existential, Knotty, Warm, Alienation, Bittersweet, Futuristic, Anthemic

Musical Qualities: Glitchy, Catchy, Sampling, Distorted, Vocal Manipulation, Dense, Melodic, Electro-Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Digital Production

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Broadcast – Haha Sound

Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Space Age Pop, Dream Pop

Vibes: Cryptic, Spacey, Retro-Futuristic, Occult, Hypnotic, Ethereal, Existential Mellow, Bittersweet, Dreamy, Romantic, Surreal, Playful, Deadpan, Tender, Lullaby

Musical Qualities: Lush, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Catchy, Motorik, Melodic, Noisy

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Abdul Wadud – By Myself

Style: Free-Improvisation, Chamber-Jazz, Spiritual Jazz

Vibes: Contemplative, Searching, Autumnal, Intimate, Elegant, Free, Spiritual, Meditative, Bittersweet, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Passionate, Pastoral

Instrumentation: Cello

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Solo, Instrumental, Sparse

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Arthur Russell – Iowa Dream

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Pop, Americana

Vibe: Warm, Tender, Romantic, Reflective, Playful, Love, Compassionate, Rustic, Bittersweet, Intimate, Mellow

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Lyrical, Lush, Home Recording, Acoustic, Melodic

Instrumentation: Vocals, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drums, Keyboards, Organ, Vibraphone, Tabla, Violin, Bongos, Horns, Flute, Bass

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Julie Byrne – The Greater Wings

with Jake Falby, Alex Somers, Eric Littmann, Marilu Donovan, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma & Nadia Hulett

Style: Chamber-Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Ambient Pop, New Age

Vibes: Heartfelt, Reflective, Loving, Bittersweet, Mournful, Healing, Introspective, Compassionate, Observational, Poetic, Contemplative, Ethereal, Summer

Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Soft, Lush, Orchestral

Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Strings, Piano, Synthesizers, Harp, Modular Synthesizer

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Tom Rapp – Stardancer

Style: Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Acid Folk, Country-influenced

Moods: Autumnal, Moody, Sombre, Bittersweet, Conscious, Eclectic, Melancholy, Political, Mellow, Morning, Mournful, Retro, Psychedelic, Rebellious, Warm

Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Flute, Piano, Organ, Dumbek, Bongos, Drums, Congas, Cello, Vibraphone, Harmonica, Banjo, Mandolin, Wind Chimes, Vocal Harmonies, Bells

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Bola Sete – Ocean

Style: Guitar Soli, Brazilian Classical Music, Folk

Musical Qualities: Aquatic, Soothing, Meditative, Intricate, Mellow, Searching, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Soft, Technical, Solo

Instrumentation: Nylon String Guitar

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Alex G – DSU

Styles: Slacker Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Bedroom Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Moods: Introspective, Bittersweet, Sentimental, Reflective, Kaleidoscopic, Warm, Melancholy, Intimate, Whimsical, Nostalgic, Eclectic, Heartfelt, Psychedelic, Summer, Existential

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Riffs, Home Recording, Melodic, Vocal Manipulation, Studio-as-an-Instrument

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Jeff Buckley – Grace

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Art-Rock

Moods: Longing, Bittersweet, Passionate, Heartbreak, Angsty, Sentimental, Romantic, Introspective, Sensual, Existential, Poetic, Sad, Sombre

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Lush, Melodic, Polished Production, Orchestral Arrangements, Gospel Background Vocals

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Albert Ayler – Revelations

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz

Moods: Ecstatic, Uplifting, Anthemic, Passionate, Energetic, Bittersweet, Cathartic, Chaotic, Cosmic, Flowing, Free, Heartfelt, Joyful, Kinetic, Love, Spiritual, Tender

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Extended Technique, Live Performance

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The Antlers – Familiars

Style: Chamber Pop, Ambient Pop

Moods: Sentimental, Bittersweet, Mellow, Reflective, Ethereal, Flowing, Dreamy, Passionate, Sad

Musical Qualities: Soft, Slow, Lush, Lyrical, Polished, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Drums, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Fender Rhodes, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

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Willie Nelson – Spirit

Style: Outlaw Country, Singer/Songwriter, Flamenco-Influenced

Vibe: Tender, Breakup, Reflective, Patient, Personal, Lonely, Longing, Peaceful, Romantic, Bittersweet, Heartfelt, Intimate, Melancholy, Mellow, Sentimental, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Lyric-Driven, Chamber Arrangements

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Alex G – God Save the Animals

Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop

Moods: Uplifting, Heartfelt, Spiritual, Warm, Introspective, Wholesome, Eclectic, Colorful, Cryptic, Ethereal, Joyful, Longing, Bittersweet, Psychedelic, Sentimental, Tender

Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Vocal Effects, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Catchy, Polished, Progressive

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Joan Shelley – The Spur

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk

Moods: Reflective, Poetic, Intimate, Lonely, Loving, Wise, Compassionate, Tender, Soothing, Contemplative, Bittersweet, Rustic, Peaceful, Melancholy, Intricate, Pastoral

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Soft, Melodic

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Joan Shelley – Over and Even

Style: Folk, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Morning, Reflective, Soothing, Gentle, Bittersweet, Warm, Mellow, Contemplative

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Soft, Vocal Harmonies, Melodic, Sparse, Polished Production

Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Piano, Harmonium, Glockenspiel, Keyboards

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Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions – Until the Hunter

Style: Ethereal Country, Psychedelic Folk, Slowcore, Singer-Songwriter, Dream Pop

Vibe: Enchanting, Dreamy, Hypnotic, Forest, Wistful, Brooding, Western, Nocturnal, Sensual, Lethargic, Soothing, Melancholy, Reflective, Autumnal, Ethereal, Desert, Romantic, Bittersweet, Spectral

Musical Qualities: Slow, Lush, Soft, Atmospheric, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical

Instrumentation: Slide Guitar, Vibraphone, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Drums, Cello

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Sathima Bea Benjamin – Windsong

Personnel: Sathima Bea Benjamin – Vocals; Kenny Barron – Piano; Buster Williams – Upright Bass; Billy Higgins – Drums

Style: Vocal Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Ballads, Traditional

Vibe: Healing, Flowing, Warm, Airy, Spiritual, Soothing, Sombre, Heartfelt, Elegant, Uplifting, Bittersweet, Intimate, Morning, Peaceful, Reflective, Rootsy, Sentimental,

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Soft, Improvisation, Slow, Polished, Lyrical, Lush

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Magnolia Electric Co. – Josephine

While Magnolia Electric Co’s final record is still tinged with the weariness & melancholy that pervades all of Jason Molina’s previous work, Josephine also feels imbued with vital life force, bittersweet romance, and hopefulness that make it uplifting despite the odds.
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Recommended if you dig dobro & lap steel, ditch-trilogy Neil young, and autumnal contemplation

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P.G. Six – Slightly Sorry

Style: Loner Folk, Weird Americana, Folk Rock, Singer Songwriter

Vibe: Peaceful, Melancholy, Reflective, Romantic, Gentle, Rustic, Warm, Autumnal, Bittersweet, Breezy, Contemplative, Lethargic, Mellow, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Soft, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic, Atmospheric

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Neko Case – Blacklisted

LP, Anti- Records, 2002 (2016, RE) Style: Gothic Americana, Alt-Country, Singer/Songwriter Vibe: Bittersweet, Rebellious, Haunting, Western, Passionate, Energetic, Longing, Anthemic, Breakup, Depressive, Heartfelt, Introspective, Twangy, Rustic, Sentimental

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Neko Case – Furnace Room Lullaby

Style: Alt-Country, Americana, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Bittersweet, Warm, Angsty, Rustic, Heartfelt, Confident, Passionate, Twangy, Love, Breakup, Reflective, Sentimental, Lush, Rootsy

Instrumentation: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel & Pedal Steel Slide Guitars, Fiddle, Electric & Upright Basses, Drums, Vocal Harmonies, Banjo, Mandolin, Organ, Accordion

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Spellling – The Turning Wheel

Style: Progressive Pop, Baroque Pop

Vibe: Epic, Surreal, Haunting, Ethereal, Passionate, Dramatic, Dreamy, Romantic (LP1), Triumphant, Fantasy, Uplifting (LP1), Grandiose, Theatric, Brooding (LP2), Spacey (LP2)

Musical Qualities: Dense, Orchestral, Progressive, Polyphonic, Polished, Melodic, Rhythmic

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