While it is always exciting to discover new music through the conventional means – radio airplay, streaming algorithms, YouTube recommendations – for me personally, receiving endorsements from trusted friends will very quickly propel the music of new and emerging artists to the top of my playlists. Such recommendations arrive frequently from my music pals, and while I honestly cannot recall who dropped the name of this specific artist onto my listening radar (was somebody in the UK circa late 2023), whoever you are, I remain forever in your debt for this introduction.
I was very likely on one of my regular alt-rock meets Americana kicks at the time, because the suggestion was for a song titled “Hurricane” – a fabulous bluesy, indie-rock tune from emerging British alt-rocker Rachel Croft. Hailing from York, and now based in London, Rachel’s tune hit me hard – one described on her bandcamp page as pairing “rootsy swagger with thunder-and-lightning vocals, painting a picture of an artist who can’t be tamed.” Earning many spins, here was an artist worthy of further exploration, and hitting all the Like and Follow buttons on Rachel’s social media pages, seeds for future inclusion here at GDW were planted.
Rolling into early 2024 – and in need of one final tune for a UK edition of a Snappy Singles feature – it would be Rachel’s “I Won’t Turn You Away” release that would signal her debut on the page. How could I not include this somber and broody slow-burning ballad about grief – one that builds and intensifies into a colossal power-rock anthem? Just three months later, Rachel would release “Pacify Me,” a true alt-rock banger with plenty of grit and panache that was very quickly added to a Video Vault feature. Ditto for her summer 2024 single “Failure,” (featured as a Wednesday social media submission), and “A Mind Made Of Sky (This Too Shall Pass),” her first 2025 single and another lock for the Video Vault. What we have here is an artist that has definitely gotten under my skin.
This 2025 single would become the title track to Rachel’s latest 6-track EP, followed by an announcement of an exclusive vinyl release limited to just 300 pressings. As a self-confessed vinyl junkie, every hair on my arms stood to attention following the surge of electricity flowing through my body when reading this news. Not easing the momentum, another single (and future EP track) – “Rose Tinted” – would follow. Yes, the moment Rachel shared that the vinyl was available on her website, whatever was happening during that time was very promptly paused as I focused on securing one of these rarities and ‘must-have’ items for my collection.
Spinning the 180-gram clear marbled record at 45rpm on the GDW turntable, the recognizable riffs from “Failure” lead off (oh, oh, sounds so good on vinyl), before progressing into “This Was Never Love,” a great pop-rock crossover where retro synths compete happily with electric guitars. “Stare through the windows at ghosts of us there in our faded hue / There was a time in my life when I thought that I hated you / But wounds turn to scars / Faded old marks / Marks that you barely feel no more.” Rounding out the first side with the title track, Rachel once again tugs at the heartstrings with this gorgeous slow-burning power ballad.
A flip of the disc and drop of the needle leads to “I’ll See You,” a peppy, light rock-pop number that conjures up images of those pivotal moments in movie scenes where good fortunes are bestowed upon a main character. “And I see you / Down the line / Hundred-mile-a-minute kinda girl of mine / I feel you / All the time / Scenes that I have lived through, and I left behind.” Just a feel-good number that oozes positive vibes and sensitivity – as does the shift to “Rose Tinted,” itself another synth pop cut that demonstrate how easily Rachel can shift her sound towards the mainstream. Closing out with one last blast of synth-rock overload – her 2025 “Skin and Bone” single – Rachel demonstrates plenty of comfort with her musical evolution.
Of course, the savvy listener familiar with her music catalog knows that her rock roots are simply being kept temporarily in check. Here is an artist that can alternate her sound and style to suit the white-collar music halls one moment, and the blue-collar sweaty basements the next – all without batting an eyelid. Thanks again to the friend who name-dropped this artist – allow me to pay it forward and share with you all that Rachel Croft is an emerging artist to watch.
Photo Credit: Artist Website / Social Media
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
