From its opening notes, Easy carries emotional weight; of lived experience and of masterful folk-rock musicality.
We could listen to those joyous harmonica riffs and sublime vocal delivery all day. It’s Easy by name, easy by nature. Perhaps most remarkable about Luke’s latest effort is how effortless he makes it all seem, crafting a track that wouldn’t sound out of place in any of the genre greats’ oeuvres.
The production strikes a perfect balance – Luke’s guitar work shows admirable restraint, weaving around that beguiling harmonica in a way that builds a subtly overwhelming atmosphere without ever feeling forced. His voice carries a weathered warmth that carves out its own distinct space. It’s no wonder he’s rapidly gaining attention as an Australian songwriter to watch.
Dean Luke’s Easy
- Luke’s sensational second single, Easy, is out now
- Stream his music on Spotify and YouTube here
- Follow Dean Luke on Instagram here and on TikTok here
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“Mental photographs all old and faded / Of a time that you both loved and hated.”
Lines like these cut through again and again, with an imagery that feels both personal and universally relatable – like most great songwriting. When the chorus lands with its disarming directness – “Cos it’s not easy. It’s not easy. Darling, if it was easy then almost everyone would be doing it then wouldn’t they?” – it demonstrates Luke’s ability to take a tried and tested concept and somehow make it refreshing… again, like most great songwriting. He’s got it, alright.
His journey to this point has been less straightforward. After receiving his first guitar at 14, Luke spent years honing his craft as a lead guitarist in Melbourne’s rock scene before embarking on his current path as an indie folk/dream pop artist. That technical proficiency shows as guitar, vocals and harmonica create an entrancing triple threat.
“Feeling whole or feeling disconnected / Being blessed or blatantly rejected.”
As everything works in such perfect harmony here, again, we return to the lyrics. They exemplify Luke’s introspective songwriting style, drawing from influences like Wilco, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucinda Williams. The comparisons to Jeff Tweedy and Elliott Smith feel particularly apt here – there’s the same sense of allowing listeners into something deeply personal while maintaining artistic control.
Dean Luke premieres a cerebral and dreamy music video for What Do I Know?
Easy isn’t just another indie lament. Despite the universality of its influences, there’s something quintessentially Australian about this track – not just the arrangement, but the unflinching honesty about life’s daily grind.
Luke has crafted something special here – a folk rock meditation on life’s hardships that somehow manages to feel uplifting. It’s a promising second release from an artist who has the potential to join the pantheon of great Australian songwriters. We’ll be very pleased to say we were there from the beginning.
In a genre that can sometimes feel oversaturated with similar narratives, Easy stands out by virtue of its honesty and careful craftsmanship. Like his live performances, described as hypnotic and cathartic, the track has an unusual power to make listeners feel both seen and comforted. Listen to this song – you won’t regret it.
