Based in Miami, 21-year-old instrumentalist Conor Moore explores the tradition of American Primitivism on his debut release, Chamber Music. The album marks a transition from Moore’s background in jazz and various band projects toward a solo acoustic format. Drawing from an eclectic range of influences, including Ali Farka Touré and the fingerstyle legacy of John Fahey, the collection was recorded in a friend’s home to capture a specific, intimate creative window.

A stunning opener, “Memories Of Hecate County” unveils riveting layers of guitar work — ranging from plucky intrigue to continuously frolicking strums. Visions of a desert-set soundscape arrive in the ghostly, twanging guitar tones, resembling something from the dark worlds of the Diablo video game series. The track shifts to a more vibrantly introspective allure past the two-minute mark, warming and reflective in its jangling charm, and carrying all the way into its satiating conclusion.

The ensuing “Olustee” seamlessly continues the inviting, amiable guitar work — there exuding a trickling, harmonious element throughout that feels fit for sunshine-laden listening. Elsewhere, “Sadie’s Flowers” struts a blissful sound as well, interweaving moments of dreamily understated lushness and jangly expressions. In the more fervent spectrum, “Oklawaha” is striking in its contrasts between single-layered twangs and bustling layers, building with especially memorable momentum past the first minute.

In addition to its fantastic original songwriting, the album also features interpretations of classics — namely, a version of “Sponger Money” originally by Bahamian calypso singer George Symonette, then shifting within the same performance to “Buck Dancer’s Choice,” a song written by Sam McGee and made popular by John Fahey. Moore also includes a cover of Ali Farka Touré’s “56,” one of his favorite solo guitar recordings of all time. Chamber Music is a lovely, captivating collection of original and classic folk songs alike.

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“Sadie’s Flowers” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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