Psalmships releases compilation of old ghost-folk rarities

The Facebook page for Psalmships is mostly a compilation of music releases and witticisms you would maybe find on the inside of a sarcastic Hallmark card. But Joshua Britton, the man behind the acoustic-folk project, takes his music much more seriously than that lets on.

He just released an 18-track compilation titled Old Waves Pt. 2 that collects old recordings made by the Bucks County native between 2009 to 2014. One of the most notable aspects of the album is its dissimilarity from song to song. Tracks like “Apocryphal Babe” implement reverbed vocals balanced by the simplicity of power chords on the piano. “Who cares if we’re never sober?” Britton sings. “Who cares if I can’t wake up?” His lyrics are honest and delivered via old-time, soulful vocals that may take you back through childhood memories. Elsewhere, we hear trumpets sunny acoustic strums and humming harmonies that make this sound like quintessential road trip music

But with the sound changing on nearly each track, it keeps you listening to hear what happens net. “The Ocean Floor” is nearly 13 minutes with a spinning, experimental introduction. Britton plays around with the synth and bass to create this eerie escapade that feels like you’re trying to escape from a post-apocalyptic world.

Sometimes, collections with this much variety fail miserably: in Psalmships’ case, it is its own narrative worth experiencing.