Oscar Browne encapsulates feelings of change and realisation in his latest single “All Or Nothing”

As the summer comes to a close, we welcome the hazy glow of autumn transforming the leaves of trees from fresh green hues to radiant shades of amber. The world of alternate folk music is the essential accompaniment to this time of year, and pumpkin spice season enthusiasts should look no further than London’s latest addition to this pool of talent, Oscar Browne. Ahead of his debut EP entitled If Only, Browne enchants us with the single “All Or Nothing”, indulging the influence of alt-folk’s most renowned figures such as Bon Iver, Jake Bugg, and Hozier. Encompassing lyrical content that contemplates the trials and tribulations of change, Browne’s single couldn’t have arrived at a better time as the seasons undergo a transition.

The necessary ingredient of all successful alt-folk is acoustic instrumentation, and it seems that Browne has mastered this element as this single highlights his multi-instrumentalist skill, combining the jangly chimes of a guitar and percussive stabs. Comparable to the gritty vocals of American singer-songwriter Sam Ervin Beam, or Iron & Wine as he is better known as, Browne’s vocal performance takes on a similar nature with its husky but delicate timbre. Akin to Bon Iver’s use of brass, this release also showcases Browne’s gift for instrumental arrangement as he introduces staccato trumpet melodies that complement the dark, gravelly hums of a repetitive cello line. The track is certainly a convincing example of meticulously crafted contemporary folk, and is a stand-out song amongst other releases from this genre in the past year.

Hailing from the bustling streets of London, Browne’s discography couldn’t be more different from the never ending chaos of the city, as he experiments with sounds that set him apart from the usual selection of artists emerging from the region. His lyrical style is also ahead of the game, as he demonstrates emotional maturity by discussing weighted subjects in each song from the EP.

Commenting on the lyrical direction for “All Or Nothing”, Browne admits that the single focuses on the theme of realisation: “Something that once meant everything to you, no longer feels the same which brings freedom instead of grief or loss. It’s an awareness that a new chapter of life is about to start, and a strange feeling of excitement is now overpowering those burdens of the past.”

This release proves that the young artist is keen to insert himself among the greats of the alternate-folk genre, and if the collection of songs featured on his EP exhibit songwriting anywhere near this quality, then success will not be far out of reach for Oscar Browne.