Singer-songwriter Aaron Pollock has released eleven self-produced studio albums and his twelfth album is due for imminent release, on 23 April 2026. The title track, ‘… And Then a Sadness Came Over Me’, is having its premiere here today.
Listen to the song: https://aaronpollockmusic.bandcamp.com/track/and-then-a-sadness-came-over-me-single-version-2
Pollock is a Youth Ambassador for Blues Music Victoria and a current finalist in the 2026 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category (winners to be announced in May). One listen to ‘… And Then a Sadness Came Over Me’ will go a long way towards demonstrating why he’s receiving such honours: Pollock has an entrancing ability to draw the listener into his story using both lyrics and voice, with stripped-back instrumentation allowing for both to shine.
The story in ‘… And Then a Sadness Came Over Me’ deepens with each verse, and we think we’re shaping up for – and happy about – more of it when there’s an abrupt ending. This is a neat device, in that we feel a flicker of disappointment – perhaps even sadness – that the song is over, and that, of course, is a means of showing us, not just telling us, what it’s about.
‘[The song] touches on my endless back and forth with finding things both beautiful and bleak at the same time,’ Pollock explains. ‘It’s about watching things grow, knowing they’ll eventually fall. I wanted to keep it simple – almost unfinished – so the feeling could speak for itself.’
The song’s understated production is part of Pollock’s response to overly polished, increasingly AI-drive music; he’s embracing authenticity, minimalism and emotional immediacy on this new album.
‘Everything is starting to sound too perfect,’ he says. ‘This record is about leaving the flaws in – making something honest again.’
Not that Pollock needs much in the way of instruments to connect with audiences. Known for his acoustic fingerpicking style, he’s been described by noted Australian guitarist Lloyd Spiegel as Australian guitar icon Lloyd Spiegel has described him as: ‘Absolutely outstanding. One of the finest pickers I have come across.’
Pollock is clearly a prolific songwriter, and if this is your introduction to him you have much to come up on – and look forward to. You can find out more about him at: https://aaronpollockmusic.com
Listen to ‘… And Then a Sadness Came Over Me’ on Bandcamp
