Review: ‘Be a Better Me’ – George Ensle

This is a fantastic Texas folk record and a good one to add to any music fan’s collection. Ensle’s storytelling lyrics coupled with his fingerpicking guitar style set the scene for an intimate and authentic foundation. A laid-back, raw vocal style delivers the 11-song collection, which takes you on a journey.

The title track opens the album, it’s a positive introduction with an inspiring message. His writing draws on everyday experiences as is shown on ‘$1.65’ where he humanises the plight of a homeless man, and gives him the titular sum without judgement or questioning. It’s a beautiful song with another lesson to be learnt from it’s lyrics.

There’s a live feel about the whole record which is stripped back with an authentic instrumentation. It’s well produced to capture the realness and down to earth nature of Ensle and his songs. The closing track is the bouncy, ‘Down by the Riverside’ a toe-tappingly good ending to a strong record from Ensle.