Daniel Gadd - “Can’t Stop the Leaves”

South Africa-born, London-based singer-songwriter Daniel Gadd arrives on our blog with the raw and nostalgic sounds of “Can’t Stop the Leaves,” a new tune from his forthcoming LP, About Strange Lands and People.

The song begins just as gentle as an autumn breeze, filled with the delicate strums of an acoustic guitar, perfectly setting a melancholic and contemplative mood. We knew that we would become completely enamored with this song before Gadd even began to sing, but once you hear his voice, you will promptly recognize that he was put on this Earth for this folksy brand of storytelling.

Additional instruments appear, including some soft, elegant percussion and a nice, round bass, with moments of angelic backing vocals that do nothing but further justify this song’s very existence in the universe. As we’ve stated many times before, there are simply not enough modern songs that utilize some well-placed “ooooh’s” and we are pleased to inform you that this track has them stacked from floor to ceiling.

Although we were completely sold on “Can’t Stop the Leaves” within the first twenty seconds, we would be remiss not to mention the remarkable moment that the organ arrives, filling the sonic space to its maximum capacity. An electric piano then joins the arrangement to offer a melodic solo and we simply cannot get enough of this one, so we will be playing it on a constant loop until November 3rd, when the rest of LP drops.

Finally, the subject matter is one that most listeners will find familiar, as the lyrics spin the end of a love affair. Gadd adds, “I was trying to capture a very specific moment at the end of a relationship – the moment when the time for talking has ended and the decisive break is made.” Whether you’re into songs about heartbreak or not, you have got to get “Can’t Stop the Leaves” into your ears.

-HD