23 Fields is a folk band consisting of Step Adam, Louise Driver and Jason M. Smith. They aim to create an alternative folk sound and write about everything from love to politics. After their debut album “The World Is Raining” in 2023, they are back in 2024 with their latest EP “To Follow This Year’s Fashion”.

“Scars” is a short track falls towards the end of the forty-plus minute EP. Instrumentally, the track keeps it simple and ensures that the sound doesn’t shift drastically over the course of the song. It has very sombre single chord keys that provide much of the emotion on top of soft and soothing percussion that serves as the track’s backbone. The acoustic guitar brings with a heavy folk element while the violin is used subtly and scarcely to elevate emotions. The vocals by Stap Adams have depth to it and is layered from the start such that it never appears singularly.

The track has two verses that each explore the guilt of hurting someone. It starts off as a conversation and moves on to a narration of life, trust and loss. The “You” that the song refers to might be the listener, a loved one or the singer himself. There is guilt in causing pain to another person that feels irreconcilable and a certain hopelessness and self-loathing that is looked effectively!

“Scars” is a mellow, slow-paced track with a simple tune and charming instrumentation. I recommend listening to it in the context of the entire album. Make sure to check out 23 Fields here: