The Eighty Six Seas is the moniker of Brooklyn-based Nick Stevens who crafts sharp thematic folk pop in the vein of Belle and Sebastian, The Magnetic Fields, and David Gray. The project became a banner under which Nick could explore eclectic musical contexts to present universal concepts. By embedding classic folk structures within the folds of radical contemporary styles, he was able to discover and enjoy musical epiphanies. And for his latest release, I Need My Girl, The Eighty Six Seas collaborates with Elly Kace and Straight Pepper Diet, fleshing out acoustic nostalgia with pops of colorful synths. 

The track is a swirling mosaic of styles. With golden warm acoustics at its core, its emotions are fleshed out by the ubiquitous synths. Vibrant and hyperactive, they magnify the song’s essence with movement and texture. And the seamless union of Elly Kace’s soprano and Straight Pepper Diet’s baritone further adds a delightful emotional perspective that elevates the listening experience. 

Nick uses his artistic medium to engage with his audience in ways that surprise both him and them. This propels him into a state of constant experimentation, finding unique structures and refreshing narratives to showcase the  human condition. He debuted in 2012 with The Insomniac’s Lament, following up with his sophomore release Guy and Girl in 2022 after a brief hiatus. 

The track is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to I Need My Girl by The Eighty Six Seas featuring Elly Kace and Straight Pepper Diet here –