Appreciation

Released in 2018 on Kill Rock Stars, 'Appreciation' represents a significant sonic pivot for Horse Feathers. After a decade of defining the 'hushed folk' aesthetic, frontman Justin Ringle intentionally introduced a more robust rhythm section and soul-influenced arrangements. Recorded with a full band, the album moves away from the stark, rain-drenched minimalism of 'House With No Home' toward a sound that critics noted for its 'sunnier' and 'groovier' disposition. Despite the Discogs metadata erroneously suggesting 'Hard Rock,' the album is firmly rooted in Indie Folk and Americana, though it incorporates backbeats and basslines that echo 1970s soul. The lyrical focus shifted from external storytelling to more personal themes of gratitude and self-acceptance. It stands as the band's most rhythmically assertive work, successfully expanding their chamber-folk palette without sacrificing Ringle's distinctive vocal intimacy.