This song is so intensely gorgeous and moving; I think Ben Howard has thoroughly captured my heart with his gentle, intricate guitar and breathtaking voice. He has drawn comparisons to the likes of Bon Iver and Jose Gonzalez, which would be quite the grandiose parallel if it weren't so very apt. The lyrics here in "Old Pine," the title track to his debut EP (out May 23rd) are brilliant, hopeful, and perfect for the melody: We stood / steady as the stars in the woods / so happy-hearted / and the warmth rang true inside these bones as the old pine fell we sang / just to bless the morning.
The equally lush, summery video was shot by renowned surf photographer Mickey Smith. Honestly, this entire thing is a work of absolute beauty; Ben Howard is a newly discovered treasure.