What a month October has been for acoustic music!
After September's Angel by Lizzy McAlpine, October has delivered so many interesting releases that choosing just one album would have been almost impossible. Seven records with a strong acoustic guitar influence caught my attention: We Were Only Young by Kodaline, The Fear That This Is Real by Sarah Julia, Everything, absolutely by Dan Bettridge, Twin Flames by Ziggy Alberts, True Violet by Rayland Baxter, Start of Something by Maya Lane and Van Town by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.
Of course, not all seven albums are entirely acoustic. Some explore indie pop, alternative folk, country and even rock, but they all feature the acoustic guitar in some capacity.
Since reviewing every track would turn this article into a small book, I've decided to pick just one song from each album, focusing on its guitar arrangement and lyrical meaning.
Let's get started!
Kodaline - We Were Only One
We begin with the fifth and final studio album by Irish band Kodaline, who have decided to go their separate ways after more than a decade together. We Were Only Young is an emotional farewell that combines their signature pop-rock sound with quieter moments exploring love, loss and personal growth.
My pick: All I'll Ever Need
One of the album's most intimate songs, All I'll Ever Need features an acoustic guitar alternating bass notes with delicate double-stop arpeggios, beautifully complemented by piano. Lyrically, it's a straightforward declaration of unconditional love, celebrating the idea that no material possession could ever replace the person you want to spend your life with. Sometimes the simplest messages are also the most powerful.
Sarah Julia - The Fear That This Is Real
Dutch sister duo Sarah Julia deliver a beautiful collection of intimate indie folk songs built around delicate vocal harmonies and acoustic arrangements. Their debut album, The Fear That This Is Real, explores relationships, vulnerability and the difficulty of accepting that not everything can be repaired.
My pick: Hyperventilating
The combination of intertwining fingerpicked acoustic guitar and cello immediately caught my attention. The lyrics describe the aftermath of a betrayal, with one person struggling to breathe while the other gradually accepts that the relationship is over. The counting from one to ten is particularly clever, simultaneously helping the other person regulate their breathing and marking the approaching end of their relationship.
Dan Bettridge - Everything, absolutely
Welsh singer-songwriter Dan Bettridge combines folk, Americana and country influences in Everything, absolutely, a record that embraces life's contradictions with warmth and optimism. Acoustic guitars, banjo, pedal steel and vocal harmonies contribute to its wonderfully organic sound.
My pick: Mountain Time
This is exactly the kind of feel-good acoustic song I love! Strummed guitar, banjo and beautiful female backing vocals accompany a story set among mountains, glaciers, old trucks and open spaces. Yet the message is surprisingly simple: despite all the beautiful places the narrator has visited, nothing compares to the person he loves. A perfect addition to my mountain acoustic playlists.
Ziggy Alberts - Twin Flames
One of my favourite independent artists returns! Following last year's New Love, Australian singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts delivers Twin Flames, another collection of coastal folk songs exploring love, family and the importance of reconnecting with the people and places that shaped us.
My pick: You're Like Christmas
Classic Ziggy Alberts, with a beautiful acoustic guitar arpeggio accompanied by banjo. In fact, the guitar pattern immediately reminded me of Learn Yourself from his previous album. This time, however, Ziggy dedicates the song to his parents, reflecting on a childhood that wasn't particularly wealthy but was filled with love and security. One especially touching moment comes when he remembers receiving his first guitar at sixteen, without knowing how much it would eventually change his life.
Rayland Baxter - True Violet
American singer-songwriter Rayland Baxter continues exploring the space between folk, Americana and indie rock with True Violet. Although the album ventures beyond traditional acoustic music, the guitar remains an important part of its identity, with several arrangements that caught my attention.
My pick: Never Do
The album's most stripped-back song is also its only entirely fingerpicked arrangement. Even better, it's a One Pattern Song! A repeating guitar pattern accompanies Baxter's distinctive vocals as he describes the frustration of loving someone who never seems capable of returning that love. The contrast between the gentle guitar and the disappointed lyrics works beautifully. And yes, expect a complete tutorial on my YouTube channel very soon!
Maya Lane - Start of Something
British singer-songwriter Maya Lane continues blending contemporary folk with accessible pop melodies in Start of Something. Although her productions have become increasingly elaborate, she still makes room for the acoustic guitar. In fact, I feel like every year she gives us at least one beautiful acoustic song, and I sincerely hope she keeps doing that!
My pick: Big Girl Pants
The most stripped-back song on the album, although Hate Her also deserves a mention for its fingerpicked guitar. Big Girl Pants explores emotional exhaustion and the pressure to appear strong when everything feels overwhelming. Its intimate arrangement perfectly complements the vulnerability of the lyrics, while the title cleverly contrasts the expectation of maturity with the reality of feeling completely lost.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald - Van Town
Last but certainly not least, Canadian singer-songwriter Michael Bernard Fitzgerald returns with Van Town, a record that showcases his unmistakable combination of gentle vocals, warm acoustic arrangements and understated melodies. His music has always felt perfectly at home on All of Acoustic, and this album is no exception.
My pick: Loving
Classic Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, with delicate fingerpicked acoustic guitar and soft vocals. The lyrics explore the difficulties of maintaining a loving relationship while dealing with everyday frustrations, from money and uncertainty to anger and emotional distance. Beneath it all lies a simple desire to become a more loving person, even when changing isn't easy. An intimate song that proves how effective a gentle acoustic arrangement can be.
Seven albums, seven artists and seven different approaches to acoustic music. What I particularly appreciate about these releases is their variety. Whether accompanied by piano, cello, banjo or nothing at all, the acoustic guitar continues to prove itself one of the most versatile instruments in contemporary music.
Now, let's see what November has in store for us! In the meantime, you can find all these songs spread across my All of Acoustic 2026 playlist!