Folky Fabulousness: Dave Pilla's 'More Than Hoped For' EP.

Today I stumbled across something massive. No, it wasn't just me being blind (although I am desperately reliant on my glasses); I mean metaphorically, dur. Scrolling on Twitter, an artist I reviewed way back when I first started my blog - Adam Geraghty - had posted a SoundCloud link for @DavePilla. I liked Geraghty's music, so figured he wouldn't recommend any old dross, and so clicked on the link.
I was truly blown away after the first 30 seconds of Pilla's EP More Than Hoped For.

After my first listen to the EP, I was immediately reminded of the dreamlike quality that Bon Iver produces in his tracks. The melodic tranquility conveyed through Dave Pilla's voice is breathtaking and so peaceful. I've now listened to the EP from start to finish a couple of times, and love it even more than I thought I would! It's kind of refreshing hearing simple, good old music in a day and age where it's all about the electronic production of a track (not that I don't enjoy a bit of electropop!).
Here I'll be giving a run through of the EP track by track (there's only four tracks so you won't be reading for hours, I promise!).

Doing Wrong
I love how stripped back and simple this track is. By just using an acoustic guitar and his beautiful vocals, Dave Pilla produces a heartwarming track that makes you lose sight of what you're doing as you are so captivated by the journey the song takes you on. You can't help but feeling emotionally attached to the song and the desperate romance of the lyric 'maybe you're the one who can save me now' which literally inspires goosebumps. The whole production of the track is basic: the acoustic guitar and single vocal combo; the repetition in the lyrics; the fade at the close of the track. But that doesn't mean it's boring, or not as good as it could be. Quite the contrary, it makes this quality makes Doing Wrong, and the EP as a whole, a subtle spectacle of brilliance.

The Fields

The second track of the EP has a bit more pace than Doing Wrong. The folky overtones of the track provide an authentic sound which is yet again simple and beautiful. I love how this feel shifts and the track becomes a lot more hectic towards the end; I feel like it offers a European feel to an otherwise very English folk song, which is always exciting. It reminds me of the excitement inspired in Alt-J's Taro when it presents an Eastern European feel. The way the vocals contrast in The Fields and Doing Wrong showcase the brilliant range Pilla has, and how far he could go in the future.

Hollow Days

The opening to this track is very tranquil and reminiscent of City and Color. Again, the simple acoustic guitar and single vocals winning combo makes this track tug at the heartstrings. Hollow Days becomes more and more passionate as the vocals get stronger and the guitar becomes louder, conveying brilliantly the emotion in the lyrics. I also love the extra kick at the end of each line, it seems to emphasise the power in the vocals and the extent of the emotions suggested through the track. 

More Than Hoped For

The final, and title, track of the EP is probably my favourite of the four. It has a hint of mysterious angst which makes the track more intriguing than the others. The guitar opening also reminds me of one of my favourite artists - Ben Howard. I love the dream-like tones in Pilla's voice as it repeats and fades the chorus sequence. The stark difference between this brooding vocal and the strong passionate vocals displayed in Hollow Days makes the EP as a collection an intriguing listen, as you never know what to expect next from Pilla.  The disorientating mix of guitar and mumbled vocals towards the end of the track add to the angsty quality of the track, with the only distinguishable vocals being 'more than hoped for'.

Listen to the EP More Than Hoped For here.

For Dave Pilla's full Soundcloud collection, click here.