‘Twenty Three’ is a soulful, heartfelt folk/indie rock opus from blues rock artist Kev Howell.

Listening to this track feels akin to lying down in the soft green grass, watching the sun set. It has this beautiful contemplative flow to it that invites the listener to give their full attention.

The track eases you into the composition with gentle guitar charms and uplifting harmonica harmonies. Kev’s oh-so-tender, nostalgic vocals sing, reminiscing, tinged with sadness and soul. Kev draws our minds back through our lived experiences, when perhaps we envisioned our lives going a certain way, and now ponder on how they’ve turned out. Kev makes references to how our culture has turned inward and how he misses the good old times of carefree expression and musicality. His vocals, soft and sincere, convey deep nostalgia for the life he had at 23 but also a gratefulness to have the life he has today.

Musically, Kev delivers a magical performance through this song’s composition and arrangement. The sound could draw comparisons to Bob Dylan and Bryan Adams with Kev’s easy-going, unhurried tempo and bluesy instrumentation. A particularly compelling section appears just after the two-minute mark with a soaring, folksy harmonica and guitar section, each instrument intertwined in symphony beautifully. Kev can evoke deep emotionality through his beautiful, flowing arrangements.

This is a track you would feel compelled to return to during quiet moments of rest and reflection. It’s got a golden, timeless energy to it, and you would also love to hear this track being played live around a campfire, in the company of close friends and family. It’s a track that makes you feel grateful for the life you’ve lived but also miss those beautiful moments that will never come again.

Stream ‘Kev Howell – Twenty Three’ on Spotify here: