lingering folk melancholia for anyone aching to rewrite the future –

There’s a reason Water Street have their own coveted corner in the folk-leaning Americana world, and their latest single, Passenger Side, proves exactly why their work lingers long after the final chord settles. The way their melodies refuse to wash over you and drift away, choosing instead to leave traces of emotion suspended behind the progressions, gives the track its slow-burn potency.

Passenger Side transcends rear-view reflection and builds into a past, present and future-crossing allegory of how regret can bleed into meditations on loneliness and stir that familiar ache to steer life somewhere different. Driving as a lyrical conceit may not be groundbreaking, but Water Street folded it into their sonic identity so instinctively that the imagery took on a fresh, emotive weight, pulling you deeper into the narrative with each soft swell and hushed harmony.

As the choruses bloom, the bittersweetness enmeshes with a sense of quiet resolve. Water Street deliver a timeless slice of indie-folk Americana that carries the same heart-bruising appeal as bands who know how to cut straight to the bone. If you appreciate songwriting that leaves Blockbuster-sized marks on your soul, you’ll want to sit in the passenger seat and let the track guide you through its tender turbulence.

Beyond the single, the six-piece band’s ability to merge introspective lyrics with textured touches of jazz, soul and indie rock has already placed them on a promising trajectory, born from their roots in a small New Jersey town and shaped by years of honing their sound from local gigs to festival stages.

Passenger Side is now available on all major streaming platforms. Discover your preferred way to listen via the artist’s website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast