With his incredible songwriting that fuses personal storytelling with a cinematic feel, Bo Staloch is making a name for himself in the folk and Americana genres. His latest single, "The Garden," is a prime example of this, capturing a sense of nostalgia and discovery through rich instrumentals as well as powerful lyrics. 

The lyrical ballad "The Garden" combines themes of faith, love, and perseverance.  The opening lines quietly establishing the tone:

Here, Staloch creates a sense of humility and connection with nature by grounding his narration in a tangible environment. The song deals with the weight of experience and the challenges of maintaining love in the face of adversity as it goes along. The song's central message—that love persists even in the face of chaos—is seen in lines like “Well, don't forget to love when there's mud in the water,” which serve as both a reminder and a plea.

The cinematic feel of "The Garden" is heightened by the instrumental breaks that allow emotion to fade away before Staloch's voice reappears, thoughtful and determined. The third verse of the song presents a very personal reflection:

A cry for solace and stability in uncertainty follows this moment, which feels unfiltered and almost like a confession. The song closes with a reflection on self-worth and legacy:

Staloch discussed the inspiration and the personal imagery that drives his music during a recent press conference hosted by °1824. In response to the question of whether he imagines a particular scene when writing, he related a memorable childhood experience:

“My dad is from Minnesota and grew up on this farm. At the front of the farm, there’s this huge willow tree, and I remember playing in the willow tree and losing myself but also finding myself in the willow tree, and it was like this special, awesome thing. And I think whenever I write a song, I subconsciously try to recreate that feeling of being in the willow tree. And this was—like, I thought of this like three days ago—but yeah, I think the willow tree is something that I’m writing about, whether that be subconsciously or consciously.”

This perspective gives his music a new depth and frames them as attempts to relive the awe, isolation, and self-discovery he felt under that willow tree. The visuals perfectly accompany the subject of "The Garden," a song that explores personal development and discovering beauty in unlikely places.

Staloch also discussed his work with producer Andrew Wells, renowned for his ability to hear artists' thoughts and make them a reality. Their collaboration, which started with "The Garden," turned out to be significant in forming Staloch's sound:

“He’s incredible, and he and I really got close over this project. ‘The Garden’ was the first song I had written and the first song we had written together for this project. I remember getting the song after we had the session and thinking, ‘This is what I want the music to sound like.’ This was the first time I felt like, ‘This is it.’ And I think he’s so good at hearing niche and small things. He’s just an incredible translator of my thoughts to music.”

Wells' ability to convey the subtleties of Staloch's vision contributed to the feeling of "The Garden," which was both natural and completely realised. In addition to this single, Staloch establishes an artistic persona anchored in sentiment, memory, and the subtle magic of a Minnesota willow tree. His recently released EP further shows his ability to meld expansive, atmospheric sound with storytelling. If "The Garden" is any guide, the entire album showcases his ability to combine intricate melodic landscapes with pure passion. With this record, Staloch demonstrates that his distinct folk and Americana voice is worth hearing, with both grounded and transcendent, intimate and expansive songs.