2015 Favorite: The Lake Poets

The Lake Poets—AKA Sunderland's Martin Longstaff—released one of my favorite albums of 2015, a self-titled debut teeming with heartfelt, delicate folk songs. Although it was recorded at Nashville's Blackbird studio, The Lake Poets is very much a product of England; 'Vane Tempest' is an anthem for and from the Northeast, for example, while 'Shipyards' and 'North View' evoke life by the river. But these touches add to the album's accessibility—Longstaff's imagery draws listeners into his poignant stories, the themes of which can resonate with anyone.

'Shipyards', about the death of his grandfather, hits me right in the feels. The buoyant 'See You Tonight' is an infectious ode to his fiancée. 'Edinburgh', Longstaff's most popular song on Spotify, is also his most accessible (who can't relate to "In that Edinburgh bar you said nothing was wrong, why were you lying to me?"), 

The Lake Poets is one of those albums you should listen to all the way through, with a cup of tea in hand and time to reflect. You'll get a bit emotional, but you won't regret it.