Tom Hartman – High Tree Climb (2026)
Have you ever seen those one-man-band performances where the guy is playing absolutely everything strapped to his body? Well, Tom Hartman is one of those. Priding himself on his authentic, genuine and original music, Hartman brings the beauty of acoustic-driven music to modern-day ears. Blending folk and blues styles, the Dutch artist offers sophistication in his performances but also enjoys the art of improvisation, making his shows intriguing; however, we only have access to his Spotify. This doesn’t lessen the fascination but enhances it. The latest addition to his discography is the single, ‘High Tree Climb’.
Following his well-received single ‘I’ve Been Away’, ‘High Tree Climb’ clings to the intimacy of Dylan-esque storytelling with a simplistic melody weaving about the words. Soft and soothing, the acoustic guitar drives the minimalistic single – not necessarily a rollercoaster of music, but definitely one that ebbs and flows as ‘High Tree Climb’ progresses.
About midway through the song, Hartman’s harmonica steps in with prominent confidence, solidly placing ‘High Tree Climb’ in retro folk settings. The harmonica and guitar seem to place you at the edge of a sonic river staring out at the glistening water, while subtle synth textures add a soft shimmer. For me, the field recordings of birds give off a sense of comfort, warmth, and old-school sighs of relief.
Melodically, ‘High Tree Climb’ is a charming single to both comfort and inspire. Lyrically, it’s perfectly aligned with the arrangement, connecting the soundscape to moments of deep contemplation. A “gentle invitation to shared perception – a moment of stillness, recognition, and calm awareness… a reflective perspective on life like an “old soul” viewpoint shaped by gratitude and quiet acceptance.”
It’s not easy to gain the approval of everyone in my household, but Tom Hartman seems to have done it with ‘High Tree Climb’. A sentimental folk song brimming with sincerity and raw honesty, I highly recommend ‘High Tree Climb’ and Tom Hartman to everyone. I am eager to hear more.
Find out more about Tom Hartman on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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