Solid Air

Possibly my favorite album of the 70's! Has this crazy blend of folk, jazz, and psychedelia that always gets under my skin. Every song is so unique, yet fits perfectly next to each other.

Martyn was a friend of Nick Drake's, and the title track is about his concern for him as a friend (this was released in the year between "Pink Moon" and Drake's untimely passing). "Solid Air" is one of the best metaphors for depression that I've heard in a song, as if the very oxygen you breathe is weighing down on you so much that everyday tasks become challenging.

Between the trippy, blusey soundscapes of "I'd Rather be the Devil" and "Dreams by the Sea" are folk classics, like the heart-pounding overdose of "Over the Hill" and the cozy lullaby "May You Never," which is such a comforting moment on an otherwise dark record. This is a must-listen for any fan of Nick Drake or old folk music in general.