Northallerton singer, songwriter and multi-genre musician George Boomsma has a new album in the pipeline and the details are starting to leak out. Lead single, Make A Start hints at the pleasures to come…

POWERFUL ADMIRERS

Northallerton-based singer, songwriter and multi-genre musician George Boomsma is something of a favourite amongst these pages – and he’s about to make a keenly-awaited and enthusiastically-heralded return.

Back in May 2024, we were charmed by his album, The Promise Of Spring, calling it “…remarkable” and “…a significant step forward.” It isn’t just At The Barrier that has sat up and taken notice of George Boomsma, either. He’s been gaining powerful admirers in the national media, too. Mark Radcliffe recently described him as a “Skilled guitarist, distictive songwriter and a fine singer” on his BBC Radio 2 show, whilst Lauren Laverne was more succinct – but equally complementary – when she described his work as “Gorgeous.”

THE BRACKEN AND TREAD

And the welcome news is that George, a FATEA 2025 Male Artist of the Year nominee, has recently completed his third album and it’s ready to roll. The Bracken and Tread will be with us in the Spring and Pavlovian juices are starting to flow in anticipation. Watch this space…

The overarching theme of The Bracken And Tread is a journey through Nepal, following in the footsteps that George himself took. Lead single, the aptly-titled Make A Start, will be the album’s opening track. Featuring Ally McDougal on drums, Will Looms on guitars, Bart Debney-Davies on bass, Nick Cowan on organ and Alex Cromarty on percussion, Make a Start is a song that occupies that oft-neglected space in the triangle between soul, prog and folk.

MAKE A START

The sound is full and satisfying, with bubbling bass, swirling organ and shimmering guitars providing a tasteful backing to George’s soothing vocals. His regional accent is proudly undisguised and the song has a dreamlike quality, especially during the lengthy instrumental interlude.

While George Boomsma’s music may be subconsciously informed by the Ridings of Yorkshire and the folk tradition so prevalent in the area, his songwriting comes from a deeply personal place. His rich vocals and his confident lyrical style are reflected in his storytelling, whilst his guitar work often echoes Nick Drake in approach. With Make A Start, George also incorporates stylings of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Jeff Buckley. It all bodes very well for the forthcoming album.

Watch George Boomsma and his band perform Open Curtain – a highlight of George’s 2024 album The Promise Of Spring – below:

George Boomsma: Official Website

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