Southern Mystic

Raury’s Southern Mystic has quickly become my favorite folk album in recent years. This album is a masterclass in blending folk with elements of soul, mysticism, and Southern storytelling. It’s as if Raury took the essence of traditional folk and ran it through his own filter, creating something raw, deeply personal, and totally unique.

The album opens with the title track, Southern Mystic, which pulls you in right away. There’s this hypnotic, almost spiritual quality to it, with Raury’s voice floating over earthy, stripped-down acoustic guitar. It feels like an ode to his roots, capturing both the beauty and the heaviness of the South. Valhalla takes that energy up a notch, bringing in a haunting melody that adds a sense of urgency. This song, to me, is Raury showing he’s not afraid to tackle big, intense ideas; it’s a call to find meaning and strength in a chaotic world.

One of the album’s standouts has to be This Time Around, where Raury’s lyrics feel especially vulnerable. He taps into themes of love, loss, and resilience, and it’s like he’s having a conversation with the listener. Marionette is another gem—it feels so honest and raw. The song uses this subtle guitar line that supports Raury’s vocals perfectly, and it captures that feeling of being pulled by forces you can’t control, like Raury’s singing from a place of real experience.

A Wrinkle in Time and Heavenly are two tracks that break the album’s folk structure in a refreshing way. They add a bit of soul and blues, and Heavenly especially shines as this gentle, almost lullaby-like track that lets Raury’s softer side come through. And then there’s Angels Cry, which is one of those perfect album closers that leaves you in a reflective mood. It’s got this ethereal, timeless quality that makes you feel like you’ve been on a journey, and Raury’s voice carries a weight that sticks with you.

Overall, Southern Mystic isn’t just another folk album—it’s something rare and special. It’s got soul, depth, and an authenticity that make it a project I keep coming back to. Raury’s storytelling, mixed with his blend of folk and Southern mysticism, has created something that feels alive and transcendent, and it’s by far my favorite folk album in recent years.

RAURY - SOUTHERN MYSTIC

RATING - 9.5/10

FAVORITE TRACKS - ALL

GENRE - Folk, Soul, Indie