Paul Jannicola Rubs Salt into the Wound of Tyranny with the Folk Fury of ‘Sorrow in My Soul’ –

If a folk artist can’t conjure a visceral atmosphere with little more than their vocal cords and acoustic strings, they’re not worth their salt, and Paul Jannicola brought enough brine to sting wounds wide open on Sorrow in My Soul.

In his latest release, the NYC-born, Virginia-based singer-songwriter draws listeners into the harrow of a haunting vignette inspired by the fatal shootings at the hands of ICE in Minneapolis. There’s no ornamental cushioning or softening of the blow, only a direct, intravenous line into grief, fury, and the sickening familiarity of public trauma. Jannicola, whose live reputation has carried him from the National Mall to wider recognition, knows exactly how to make a song feel like testimony.

“Four Dead in 1970 How far we haven’t come Blood flowing in the streets of Minneapolis And they’re hoping that we all just go numb” is Jannicola’s way of iterating that we don’t have to fear damnation, we’re already here, walking through the lies of progress, watching history repeat and tyranny ultimately leaving us unfazed because we’re desensitised by the horror on our streets and in our soul.

The official video, released on YouTube earlier this year, for a submission into the NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2026, only sharpens the force of the track. If it misses wider acclaim, we’ve got another reason to riot. The way it fires you up with vindication to spit out the ennui and feed your anger is unmatched by anything we have heard recently.

Sorrow in My Soul is now available on all major streaming platforms. Catch the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast