EP Review/ Singer-Songwriter : Owen Young’s ‘Three’

Owen Young is a singer-songwriter and an alt folk artist from Cayuga, Ontario. His latest release is the ‘Three’ EP, the third installation of the Muddy River series. When talking about this collection, Owen Young stated, “The material in it is something of a departure for me. An outlier of sorts. Only three songs long, it consists of a letter to an old friend and colleague, a lament by a child of the Sixties and, lastly, a rant.” 

All three tracks are related, in some way, with social-economic issues on a global scale. The tracks reiterate the duties and compassion that we owe to fellow human beings and humankind as a whole. Each song is written simply by the artist. With raw and bare acoustics and contemplative vocals. He allows the immutability of his message to claim the grandeur of the listening experience. 

‘Voices in the Dust’ opens the EP. It plays out the letter to an old friend. The track is about taking responsibility for future generations by conserving our resources, setting impactful precedents, and ensuring that we pass on important values. The instrumentals are light yet layered, soft but conversatory. And his baritones carry the thematic sentiment so naturally, so authentically and honestly. 

‘Runnin’ Down The River’ is a lament over the fractured socio-political systems. As a citizen woed by the actions and apathy of authorities, the artist writes the song with a deep melancholia. He recollects the olden days with a sighing nostalgia, juxtaposing it with the present. The banjo melodies flow underneath the acoustic guitar riffs. While Owen’s vocals are Its plucking dynamism perhaps conveys a sense of anxiety that is associated with the theme. 

The last track, ‘That Could Have Been You’ is more plush and plucky. With bright acoustics and twanging textures, it is the perfect backdrop for the contemplative rant of the artist. The song was written together with the artist’s longtime friend Harry LaForme. With scenic lyrics and an sentimental expanse, he explores hardship, difficulties, curves of loneliness, arousing a sense of deep empathy and softness for a fellow human. Listen Now! 

The EP is available for streaming and purchase on Bandcamp!

You can listen to ‘Three’ by Owen Young here -