Bands to Look Out For: Hunter & Wolfe

I know what you're thinking: not another indie band from Brooklyn. Folk duo Hunter & Wolfe, however, stand out.

Based in Williamsburg, Hunter & Wolfe (a.k.a. Michael Maffei and Sundeep Kapur) offer a refreshingly unfiltered sound, with their acoustic guitars, tender lyrics, and throaty vocals.

They prefer a very hands-on approach, writing, recording, performing, and producing all their own stuff. Listening to their songs, it's immediately clear that these are two guys who are really, truly, passionate about making music.

Their newly released 'Days and Works,' is one of those albums perfectly suited to long, meditative bus rides. At times soul-achingly somber, at others roaring and joyous, 'Days and Works' will make you nostalgic for experiences you've never had. Singer Maffei's voice is a flawless blend of raw grit and control.

Once in a while you'll hear it give way to a slight quiver--not unlike Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst--betraying the emotional truth beneath the lyrics. Just when it seems like it is about to traipse off, however, he quickly reins it in again, revealing impressive discipline.

Maffei's vocals are accompanied by twangy guitars, muffled beats, and the occasional jangle of a keyboard, which give way to a unique and compelling sound.

In one of my personal favorites, "All My Might," Maffei bellows over melodic plucking, singing about lost time and living with regret. Maffei's voice--exquisitely raspy and vulnerable--gently unravels along with the notes, lulling the listener into a state of cloying introspection.

Meanwhile, faster-paced songs like "Paris, Ohio" and "La La La" make it impossible not to tap your toes along, with their fuzzy, energetic strumming, uplifting beats, and soaring vocals.

Honestly, I couldn't find a single song on the entire album that I didn't like. I don't know about you, but 'Days and Works' is definitely going to be my soundtrack for the summer.

You can listen to 'Days and Works' in its entirety on their Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/hunterandwolfe
If you like it, you can purchase the album on their Bandcamp: http://hunterandwolfe.bandcamp.com/
Visit their website here for news about upcoming shows and releases: http://www.hunterandwolfe.com/