Sweet acoustic strums and Hite’s gentle voice beckon you into the song, recalling modern folk favorites like The Civil Wars as much as the artists that launched the scene years ago. By the time the second verse comes in, things have been kicked up to some sort of The Lone Bellow-The Avett Brothers hybrid, though the track never loses its classic sense of romance. (Consequence of Sound on “Seagreen Dress”)
Besides impressive ranges and amazing vocal control, Murman and Hite consistently captivate with dynamic style, all of which make their jangly brand of rollicking folkicana virtually irresistible. (Mother Church Pew)
The Journey Vol. 1 showcases why this band is destined to break out of the east coast and play a role in shaping the next generation of folk rockers. (Jake’s Take)
The Journey Vol. 1 definitely leaves you hanging but in the best way possible. With high hopes for the second half of this journey, the EP will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the highs and lows of love with beautiful lyricism, timeless songwriting and vivid storytelling. (Prelude Press)
The raw intent and deeply buried emotion surges to the surface. Murman and Hite are on to something truly special. (B-sides & Badlands)
If you haven’t caught it by now, the only comparable band I haven’t mentioned yet is the Avett Brothers. That Americana mishmash might be one of the best ways to understand what 5J Barrow are doing. They’re not “just folk” at all. But in saying they are a folk band, we better understand the breadth of singing for the people that defines their art. The final track “Lullaby” may make you think of a baby in a cradle, but this is a mature lulling to sleep. The sonic structure is complicated and even a bit dark. The vocal is spoken as much as sung, encouraging existential reflections befitting a university philosophy class more than the often down-home reflections of typical folk music. (Ear to the Ground Music)
5j Barrow is about to change folk rock with their impeccable sound. (Jake’s Take)
The folk-y tune shows off Hite’s evocative voice as he sings with the vocal power of the late, great Jeff Buckley. (Cleveland Scene on “Seagreen Dress”)
“Sarah Brown” sounds like that wild Saturday night at a grunge-y, smoke-filled bar listening to hard rock. Or… hard folk? This new tune by 5j Barrow sure rocks and rolls in every sense of the term, except there’s also a banjo solo. That’s what makes it all the more: there’s the expected lonesome beginning, with hollow harmonies and a steadily beating kick drum, which melts into smashing guitars and half-growled/half-shouted vocals by the end of the song. (The Deli Magazine)
5j Barrow is a delicious combination of genres, not easily defined, richly textured instrumentation and honest lyrics woven together by a talented duet of voices…They are dynamite live, so be sure to catch them if you can. (For Us Not Them)
Authentic talent and an energetic, individual style…There’s a freshness, a vibrance and a significance to what this band has to say, and they say it with an individual sound. (Rust Magazine)
Hite and Murman’s voices blend together in delightful harmonies that appeal to the very soul in a way that the very best folk music does. (Tunes News)
Despite their earthy, folk rock genre, 5j Barrow had the stage floor shaking with every jump and stomp. (Substruct Live, Marielle Torrefranca)
5j Barrow is the band that makes you stop what you’re doing and stare…Their music is everything I want music to be. Energetic, evocative, unfiltered and beautiful. In an age of auto tune and quantization, top 10 charts without any real instruments on them, 5j Barrow is the cure…. With dynamics that range from a whisper to a tsunami, their songs tell stories of love, loss and longing. (The Street Noise Project, Brad Geyer)
5J Barrow’s performance is a mixture of drama, folk, and storytelling of life in New York City, as spoken through the voices and instruments of remarkably talented artists. (Pancakes and Whiskey, Jenna Petrone)
Led by the seemingly effortless chemistry of Eryn Murman and Jason Hite’s vocal blend, it’s the kind of song whose stark sonic simplicity belies its painterly portrayal of tough times and tougher hearts; the arrangement has an unassuming gait, but don’t be surprised if you catch it loping through your brain long after the last chord rings through your speakers. (PopDose)
5J Barrow draws inspiration from the Greenwich Village revival scene of the 1950s and 60s to fuse music and storytelling in a joyous sound. (BAM Cafe Live).