We Speak Music
Mikel Rafael ‘A Shield and a Sword’ – Folk Music That Speaks to the Heart
Mikel Rafael’s new single ‘A Shield and a Sword’ might just be the most captivating folk track you’ll hear this year. Blending the deep, poetic lyricism of ancient literature with contemporary folk melodies, Mikel has crafted a song that’s both emotionally powerful and intellectually intriguing. Inspired by Homer’s The Iliad, the song connects the struggles of ancient warriors to the courage displayed by modern-day soldiers, particularly those fighting in Ukraine. It’s an ambitious project, and it’s clear that Mikel pulls it off with grace.
The song’s musical landscape is a beautiful blend of folk, Americana, and a touch of Celtic flair. It feels like a road trip through history, with each chord and phrase adding another stop along the way. The instrumentation is lush and atmospheric, with swirling strings and soft percussion that complement Mikel’s soulful voice. It’s a kind of music that makes you want to close your eyes and let the melody carry you somewhere peaceful, yet deeply thought-provoking.
What really stands out, however, is Mikel’s songwriting. He doesn’t just tell a story—he invites you to live it with him. The lyrics are poetic yet accessible, capturing the emotion of Hector’s farewell to his family before heading into battle, a scene that resonates as deeply today as it did in the time of the ancient Greeks. By drawing a parallel to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Mikel creates a poignant reflection on the nature of sacrifice, courage, and the universal human experience of facing uncertainty.
The beauty of ‘A Shield and a Sword’ is in its simplicity. Mikel’s careful attention to detail and dedication to his craft shine through in the way the song builds naturally. He doesn’t rush the song into its climactic moments. Instead, he lets the tension build, allowing the emotions to unfold slowly but powerfully. This is music that demands patience—and rewards it handsomely.
With this single, Mikel Rafael proves that he’s not just another folk artist. He’s a storyteller who connects the past and present in ways that are deeply moving. If you’re someone who loves music that makes you think, feel, and reflect, then ‘A Shield and a Sword’ is a must-listen. It’s a beautiful tribute to those who fight, both on the battlefield and in everyday life. And with an upcoming EP on the horizon, it looks like Mikel’s poetic journey is only just beginning.
We Speak Music
Phoebe June Traces Love, Distance and Heartbreak on New EP ‘Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate’
For Phoebe June, some stories are easier to tell through music.
Her new EP, ‘Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate’, is an intimate collection that traces the emotional journey of a relationship from the exhilaration of falling in love to distance, uncertainty, heartbreak and, ultimately, learning to let go.
Inspired by artists including Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, Phoebe June combines diary-like lyricism with melancholic ballads, subtle uptempo moments and an understated, emotionally honest production style.
At the centre of the project is ‘Thursday’, a bittersweet track about loving someone from a distance and holding onto the hope that the connection might survive.
Written after Phoebe left a country that held deep personal meaning, and left someone she cared about behind, the song looks back at the relationship from its beginning. Even its title is personal: the two first met on a Thursday.
The song captures the complicated feeling of walking away from something meaningful without believing that it necessarily has to be over. It’s about distance, memory and the possibility of finding your way back to someone, while recognising that hope only works when it goes both ways.
Across six tracks, the EP develops that story in sequence.
‘Everything You Are’ opens the project with the warmth of new love, while ‘Dead Sea’ explores the security of finding someone who helps you stay afloat through difficult times. As the story progresses, ‘Thursday’ introduces separation before ‘Getaway Car’ moves into the aftermath; unanswered questions, lingering attachment and the realisation that someone can profoundly affect your life while still being unhealthy for you.
‘One Day’ leaves the door open to the possibility of a future reunion, balancing hope with the understanding that some relationships may only exist in memory.
The EP closes with ‘Ophelia’, its emotional breaking point. Inspired in part by Friedrich Heyser’s painting of the same name, the track confronts the pain of feeling manipulated and unappreciated after giving everything to someone else.
The result is a project that deliberately moves from light to dark. Phoebe June considered not only the narrative but the emotional progression when sequencing the EP, allowing the brightness of its opening to gradually give way to the heartbreak of its closing moments.
Even the title reflects that feeling.
‘Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate’ takes its name from a flower, with the image of a gate separating two people becoming a metaphor for a love that remains beautiful but just out of reach. To reach over it requires effort, just as maintaining a connection across distance, uncertainty and changing circumstances does.
Ultimately, Phoebe June isn’t interested in simply documenting her own heartbreak.
She wants listeners to recognise themselves in it.
‘Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate’ is a collection about love, nostalgia, hope and regret and about what remains when something beautiful ends up on the other side of the gate.
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