The song begins with a cool rhythm line played by the bass and drums and Mark’s seren voice, as it seems to be holding a little back on the full extent of its rapsiness. He still maintains to sound forward and cut through the instruments however, thanks to his impeccable technique and the stellar production.

One of the layered guitars in this song is a Spanish/Nylon string I believe, or at least it sounds like one, and it plays the most amazing lines during the verse and the hook to give the song an extra Americana/Country edge. The whole vibe with this type of lines on the guitar feels like you’re on a long road trip with that “girl on fire”. It also feels like it could fit in a Spaghetti Western or a Southern-themed action flick. You will love the sound design so much.

In conclusion, this song is for the fans of bands like Kaleo and The Black Keys and all the sorts of “new classic rock” movement that had been going on for some years with indie bands, where they get the good sounds and the atmosphere from being a guitar driven band and going back to the archetypal sound that fans have loved and longed for since the invention of rock n roll. Go give Mark Howard all the support you can on this new wonderful single, as he gave us a pristine piece that deserves to be an international hit. 

Through his emotive rock tunes, the Phillip Island-based artist, Mark Howard expresses a deep longing for liberation. It’s a kind of song you listen to find a sense of serenity, solace in shared emotions, and the motivation to break free from the constraints.

“The Light Behind Us” is a fittingly titled song, an anthem for liberation that urges us to search for the light within the darkness of life’s complexities and limitations. The beauty of the song lies in how each element comes together to offer a “free spirit” vibe, lending credibility to the song’s theme. Howard’s powerful, sensational vocals and the tranquil yet fiery performance he delivers bring the message in the poetic, introspective lyrics to life. The instruments weave a carefree rock ambiance, with the rebellious delivery of the guitar and drums providing a powerful backdrop for Howard’s anthemic singing.

Not only is the song itself touching and positive, but the story behind it is as well. As Howard says: “I sat down with my guitar and a bird came tapping at my window. I wrote down the first lyric and got down to work. Once I had the blueprint, I took it to the studio, tried a few different keys and tempos until I found a place where the song came to life.”

If you’ve never experienced the feeling of shining light and cold breeze of air through a song, listen to “The Light Behind Us” below to experience it. Wait for the upcoming album “Deep Dark Blue.”

On ‘Scarlette’, the Aussie islander is brandishing a strong songwriting talent that sees the rolling waves blended with the sound of the breeze brushing through tropical leaves, through a minimalistic arrangement that utilizes its few components in exquisite ways. From the slow, brooding tempo to the tremolo-ed, overdriven guitars, ‘Scarlette’ drips with a calm and collected nature that sweetly brushes against the melancholic chord sequences and emotionally hefty words. About love and grief, ‘Scarlette’ took Mark Howard a moment of clarity to start, but years to perfect. 

As a songwriter, Howard is more inclined to write songs that elicit feelings in listeners, rather than directing clear-worded messages, he is more at home staying ambiguous and letting the words paint a picture along with the lush arrangements he comes up with, backed by his powerful and approachable delivery of the words, and his intricate guitar work, then add a tight production to these elements, a mix that knows where to go and what to do, and the results are spectacular. 

Inspired by the captivating wilderness that surrounds him, Howard’s music is elegant and contains an expert restraint that makes every bar, every guitar line, and every sentence carry just enough weight to shine. A capable songwriter and a beautifully crafted song.