James Lloyd Smith – “The Fountain”

James Lloyd Smith is an indie folk artist from Kent, and “The Fountain” is the fifth single from his upcoming album Mystery Maze.

He usually records everything in his bedroom, but this time he went out to grab sounds in person. He tracked piano at his old college, recorded drums at a friend’s studio, and picked up field recordings of birds and running water near Hever Castle to layer in the background. That gives the whole song a loose shape that meanders around in a pleasant way.

The main idea behind the track hits home. It addresses how easy it is to stay passive about environmental damage, acting as his own personal reminder to stay aware instead of ignoring harm to nature. His point was simple: you cannot write folk songs about green meadows if those meadows are on fire.

He spent ten years making bedroom recordings before playing live venues across London and the South East, and this track shows how his process is growing. Be sure to follow him on social media to stay updated on his new releases in 2026.