Today, we’re pleased to introduce a new songwriter on the indie-folk scene that you absolutely need to add to your listening rotation. Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, Maddy Low delivers ‘To be near’ (via Timeless Records), an intimate track that feels like reading a love letter by candlelight. It’s a warm, fragile and deeply personal acoustic affair.
The track opens with simple yet expressive guitar lines, making way for the layered vocal harmonies that flutter in on a gentle breeze. Her lyrics speak to the unexpected arrival of love, shifting from initially hesitant to quietly excited. She confesses, “now I get what they all meant,” as though she’s penning internal thoughts in her diary and whispering secrets between friends.
This rare display of emotional transparency is so elegantly framed by Low, whose style is reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Rose and Laura Marling. Although soft and tender, the impression that ‘To be near’ makes lingers long after the final note.
Following her work on the festival-winning soundtrack on Chasing Stars and the playful charm of her previous single ‘Games’, Maddy Low is stepping into a whole new realm with ‘To be near’. Her heart-on-sleeve songwriting is undeniably refined and endearingly vulnerable. It’s perfect for late-night listening while pining for the one you also wish to be close to.
You can also find ‘To be near’ in our Folk This Way playlist.
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