The sea grows dark, a thick fog rolls in over the shore and storm winds rise as old gods stir somewhere deep below the churning surf. This is the atmosphere conjured up in Allysen Callery’s new haunting ode to King Neptune.

Available on a transparent square lathe cut single through Tepid Toad Records, Rhode Island’s ruling queen of ethereal witchy folk music is absolutely mesmerizing across these two new songs, both of which were penned for and dedicated to her husband Ted.

The A-side, “King Neptune,” features a hypnotic fingerpicked melody, hushed frosty vocals and the ambiance and lyrical imagery that would be right at home in Robert Eggers’ maritime folklore-inspired modern classic, The Lighthouse.

Meanwhile, the B-side, “We Float Down the River,” glides and sways peacefully, making you feel like you’re truly drifting lazily through the currents of a pastoral waterway. Callery’s breathy repeated refrain, “We float down the river in the sun” feels like something the spirits of long lost swimmers or even the very riverbed itself would be quiety singing through the rocks and the reeds.

With these two equally eerie and bewitching songs being so reflective of Callery’s oceanic New England home, they take on a very intimate vibe. Between this and the closely mic’d guitar and whispery vocals present on this record, you feel as though you’re sitting by her fireplace while she spins you a few yarns and local legends. This is what the best folk music should feel like.

Tap here to preorder your copy from Tepid Toad today.

-KH