Simone Engel – YES (2026)
An exciting area of my job is discovering new musicians. I know, I’ve said that before, but it is doubly exciting when the artist is, well, new and shiny, crossing our virtual desk with their debut single – enter Simone Engel. A bright, shimmering minnow in the shark pool of industry professionals, this Dutch singer-songwriter can grab your eye and keep you entranced. Released about a month ago, Engel hit streaming sites, radio stations, and international publications with her debut track, ‘YES’. Come with us as we jump headfirst into this single.
Inspired by the Americana genre, Simone Engel presents a smooth, soft, flowing few minutes of country music in ‘YES’. A ballad in one way, the single is charming and touches your heart with its simplistic melody. A steady drum matches a bold bass, while the lead guitar inserts a rock-flavoured vibe to the track. About halfway through the song, the guitar piques with a bit of a cheeky attitude but also effortlessly weaves into Engel’s rhythmic tune.
Adopting a DIY approach to music production, ‘YES’ is penned, composed, recorded, and produced by Engel herself. On one hand, you can hear the grit of a raw track – whether intentional or not. On the other, the song has sincerity in its grit. As with the melody, there is a ruggedness to Engel’s vocals, but she also oozes vulnerability. It’s as if she is speaking directly to you – looking you in the eye and, with a melancholy vibe, says, “Alright, let’s deal with this.”
“I wanted to write a song about something many people experience: the confusion that can arise when words and actions don’t seem to match. Rather than giving answers, I hope the song invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and find their own meaning in it.” – Simone Engel on ‘YES’
Full-bodied and weighty? I’m not sure, but ‘YES’ has a subdued, hard-hitting tone that makes you pay attention while still being perfect as background music on the long, night-time drive.
Find out more about Simone Engel on her Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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