Jacob Ware is Rapt, and the London-based, Brighton-native singer-songwriter has released ‘White Sage’ – the second track from his ‘Not All Is Dark / All Is Never Lost’ series.
Ware says this ‘series’ abandons the idea of an album entirely – he doesn’t know the full tracklist or even what songs will be included.
There is a ton of material in the vault – not getting bogged down by the idea of albums means that Ware is able to be more fluid and free with releases – he says it allows him to “get out of my own way.”
There’s only one rule: when a new song is done — or an old ghostly demo is unearthed and finished — it’s released and added to the series. No edits.
About ‘White Sage’, he writes, “it’s a raw reflection on love, distance and self-protection… It’s the most vulnerable I’ve ever been”.
There is a cavernous vocal sound at the heart of ‘White Sage’, but somehow it still manages to sound close and warm. I loved the fragile character of Jacob’s voice.
This is an elegant, beautifully simple arrangement. The subtle harmony when he sings “we’re all made of water” blew me away.
A constant guitar part whispers in the background. A piano sound that is rounded and pure like a pearl – it’s like warm honey dripping from the speakers.
Rolling drums sound like beautiful, distant thunder.
Don’t give your heart away, they say
They’ll take it and run away
As the gentle rhythm of the guitar taps away like raindrops on the window, the sparse arrangement lays the vocal bare.
I need something – something to change
And that vocal melody really brought a tear to my eye – such a fragile, haunting beauty. I would describe ‘White Sage’ as dark ambient folk – and I was truly rapt!
We’ve featured Rapt a few times before (if you would like to hear & read more, see here)
Written by Grubby
