Fish and Scale will always surprise you with his music. If you’re expecting straightforward folk or similar genres, rethink how you look at it. Soulful melodies and introspective lyrics flood the inspiration for his songs. You’ll never hear the same theme twice from this spectacular artist. This is his latest single, Stay!

We all have that moment where we want the moment or person to stay. It’s a subliminal thing, usually full of emotion and a yearning for more. With this melody, Fish and Scale uses a soothing, bouncing riff that takes you back. It reminds me of Lie in our Graves by Dave Matthews, the unique way the phrasing has been done. The addition of piano and the gentle transitions make it a phenomenal listening experience. As the layers build, the song becomes more expressive. This is felt not only in the lyrics, but the various flourishes that the instruments are giving. Expressive and complete, the song has a gentle, suppressed percussion that keeps a reminder of the groove. When the chorus comes around, you feel the smile spread across your face. The familiarity of the movement makes it a tailored experience just for you, as a listener. 

I imagined this beautifully executed in Ladybird (2017) or The Kingdom (2007). The soothing and simple melodies and well executed lyrics make it a special song for special transitions. There is a solid connect that remains when Fish and Scale executes his songs. You can hear this in his 2021 album, You Can Call Me Love. Listen to him reimagine folk in his own unique fingerprints!