Music

Old Tom & The Lookouts Details How Mental Health is a Process, Not a Destination in New Album‘ Just for Beasts’

Indie-folk band Old Tom & The Lookouts delivers a harmonically decadent recount of lessons learned from mental health struggles in their cinematic acoustic album, Just For Beasts.

Independent folk band Old Tom & The Lookouts excitedly anticipate the release of their upcoming album, Just For Beasts, out November 4. This project is a poetic narrative of their journey with mental health told through a collection of 12 uniquely emotional tracks. With a folksy, easygoing sonic apparatus, band members Alex Calabrese and Cecilia Vacanti create a hauntingly beautiful project with Just For Beasts. Characterized by silky symphonic strings, twangy guitar, and all-encompassing background vocals, the acoustic soundscape achieved on this album is beyond epic. From the passionate chorus on “Hey Edna” to the brooding melancholy on the verses of “Dark Rooms,” Old Tom & The Lookouts pours every ounce of their soul into each track as they take listeners along this profound journey of discovery.

The band was inspired to create a piece of art that addressed many of the nuanced challenges – like depression and anxiety – many of us are all too familiar with. “This was all written with hopes of improving the dialogue surrounding mental illness,” says Calabrese. Old Tom & The Lookouts makes it a point to create a supportive space for those who are overcoming mental illness with their music. For Calabrese, there is power in the support of your peers; he says in regard to this project, “all I can hope to do is provide even a sliver of that support to someone else who is feeling that way.” Fans can experience this cinematic album on November 4 – available on all major streaming platforms.

The Boston-based Indie-Folk band is known for creating hopeful, evocative music about mental health. The lyrically driven project is shared through the lens of writer and singer, Alex Calabrese and violinist Cecilia Vacanti. With their combined efforts, the two provide a minimalist tone, accompanied by lush string arrangements, witty and brooding lyrics, soulful melodies, and striking harmonies. Paying homage to influences such as Frightened Rabbit, Phoebe Bridgers, and Tom Waits, yet capturing a new voice within the Indie-Folk genre, the band’s full record, Just for Beasts is a concept piece centered around finding community, a sense of self-worth, and finding a healthy and sustainable way to love and support yourself as well as others you care about. The record addresses many of the nuanced challenges presented to folks suffering from depression and anxiety. Some groups Old Tom & The Lookouts associate themselves with and speak in support of are To Write Love On Her Arms and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP Boston).

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Up Next

Critically Acclaimed Songwriter Elisa Nicolas Re-embarks On Solo Career With New Single “No Answers”

Don't Miss

Alyssa Joseph Defines Her Sound with Album “guts”

Honk Magazine

Artist Spotlight

Alwyn Morrison drops an enchanting love ballad to Manhattan with the single “Lenox Hill”

Alwyn Morrison has delivered an evocative sonic experience with his latest track, “Lenox Hill,” designed for those who have ever felt the pang of leaving a piece of their heart behind. This song emerges as a meticulously crafted blend of pop-rock, characterized by its emotional resonance and sophisticated production techniques. From the opening measures, Morrison immerses listeners in an auditory landscape reminiscent of New York’s electrifying streets, where motifs of love and heartbreak are seamlessly interwoven.

The production, helmed by Michael Carey, an established figure recognized for his collaborations with artists like Pablo Alborán and Idina Menzel, masterfully fuses the raw intimacy inherent in live performances with a contemporary synth-pop aesthetic. This duality creates a sound that feels both expansive and deeply personal. Morrison’s partnership with Emmy-nominated composer Michael Kooman infuses the songwriting with a dramaturgical quality that elevates it beyond conventional love ballads. Harlan Hodges’ emotive piano arrangements also provide a poignant foundation, enhancing the track’s lingering emotional impact long after the final notes decrescendo.

Artist Spotlight

“No Daylight” by Fiona Amaka evokes an anthemic storm of emotion

It’s as if each release is chasing the next, never quite catching up. Emerging London-based artist Fiona Amaka returns with “No Daylight,” a sonic masterpiece that invites listeners to delve into the unfiltered corners of emotion. From the outset, the track distinguishes itself as a composition and an immersive auditory experience. The crashing guitars and soaring instrumentals create a sonorous landscape, but Fiona’s voice truly takes center stage. Her vocals embody poignant expressiveness, delivering an aching vulnerability long after the last chord fades.

The mesmerizing production of “No Daylight” showcases Fiona’s artistic versatility and sonic innovation. Echo and delay effects aren’t just embellishments but vital threads in the song’s emotional tapestry, amplifying its haunting allure. The track pulses with controlled chaos, balancing intensity with intimacy and power with restraint. Its cinematic quality evokes a palpable sense of time dilation, where emotions rise, and reality blurs into something more profound.

With every release, Fiona Amaka cements her status as a formidable presence in the contemporary music industry. From the pulsating, club-oriented rhythms of ‘In-Club’ to the profoundly introspective ballad ‘Miles Apart,’ her capacity to traverse varied moods and genres is remarkable. “No Daylight” continues this trajectory, further establishing her as an artist to monitor closely. The single brilliantly enriches her discography, crafting compelling soundscapes that captivate listeners and invite deeper engagement.

As the buzz around her music intensifies, “No Daylight” stands out effortlessly, infusing pop sensitivities with her emotive storytelling. Get ready for an evocative auditory journey that warrants repeated listening.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Fiona Amaka’s “No Daylight“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Fiona Amaka | Instagram |