After the staunchly analogue, '70s-indebted charm of his debut, ‘The Bivouac Notes’, Daniel Avens could have been forgiven for sticking to his roots. Instead, his long-awaited second album, ‘Cascading Waters’, is a brave and completely revitalised affair. Three years in the making, this record showcases an artist unafraid of where the creative tide takes him, blending a warm folk core with a contemporary indie-rock pulse that feels both organic and totally fresh.
The shift in philosophy is immediate. On the album’s opener, ‘Fiume’, Avens practically lays out his mission statement, singing, "I am going where this river leads me to." This isn't just a nod to his band, The Cascading Waters, but a mantra for the whole album, which moves with a newfound energy and versatility. His bandmates—a collective brought together by producer Severin Zellner—are clearly the catalyst for this growth. Avens has openly said that what makes them special is “The versatility of sounds and energy,” and that’s undeniable in the lush, collaborative arrangements they crafted over countless hours in their tiny studio near the Bavarian Alps.
Where the debut was a nostalgic look backwards, ‘Cascading Waters’ is firmly planted in the now, pushing folk-rock into exciting new terrain. Look no further than ‘Cold Mountain Path’, the lead single, which somehow manages to channel the raw, bluesy drive of The Rolling Stones into a modern indie banger—it's a track that demands to be played loudly. On the flip side, the immersive ballad ‘Rush Of The Wind’ is a beautifully paced invitation to just stop and breathe, capturing that quiet majesty of a solitary walk in nature.
The record’s emotional anchor is the moving track ‘Aaron’, a thoughtful meditation on connection and loss inspired by a stranger's tale. In a world that often feels fixated on the self, this song is a gentle, expansive reminder to look out for one another. The arrangement, full of those gorgeous multi-layered harmonies the band have perfected, wraps around you like a comforting blanket. Avens offers a promise in the lyrics, “A promise of the light and the sun,” and that hopeful spirit permeates the whole release.
The combined sound—captured beautifully at Orange Ease Studios by Zellner—showcases a band at the peak of their collaborative evolution. From the emotional depth of the slower cuts to the sheer drive of the rockers, ‘Cascading Waters’ is a complete body of work that truly pays off the three-year wait. With a German club tour kicking off this autumn, Avens is about to prove that folk-rock doesn't just have an honest heart; it can still pack a proper punch.
The new alThe new album is available to stream now, and for more information, be sure to connect with Daniel Evans on Facebook and Instagram.
