Stephen Wilson Jnr – Søn of Dad

He’s been around for some time albeit this appears to be his debut long player. Hailing from South Indiana, gaining a degree in Microbiology and Chemistry, he spent time as a scientist working for Mars before a damascene moment when he decided that songwriting was his destiny and not a corporate life. Joining writing rooms in Nashville he worked up songs for Trace Adkins, Old Dominion and Tim McGraw and never gave thought to be a solo performer. We should be glad he did as this is a stellar release and delivered with a voice that has sonorous tones, authority and when in full roar conveys compelling emotion.

The place to start is Father’s Son, a heartfelt tribute to his recently departed father. A brooding atmospheric ballad with his vocals accompanied by strings and an acoustic guitar high in the mix. It ends with some spoken word: presumably by his father. Grief Is Only Love made me think how observant this analysis is. I’ve never heard it articulated as this before. This is Wilson’s state of mind as he looks back on the loss of his father. Never mawkish he manages to imbue both songs with an exceptional sense of loss and pride.

The production values are exceptional and varied with different rhythms making this an interesting listen over the 22 tracks. It’s often layered and you notice, on repeat listens, strings, choruses and percussion in the background elevating the whole experience. He’s a fine guitarist as well and he experiments with extracting sounds that give the songs edge or bite.

There are many shades of rock throughout often giving it a thunderous sound. In interviews he talks of an eclectic taste from Randy Travis, The National, Willie Nelson, Johnny Mellencamp and Nirvana. With that cocktail it’s obvious it leans toward some rock moments and I would urge you to watch the video for Holler From The Holler that was used as part of a national domestic violence campaign. The story told there, when accompanied by this crashing and moody tour de force, is truly something that’ll stop you in your tracks, it did me.

Moving away from americana he goes country with All The Wars From Now On. A folky tale suggesting that old men should fight wars ‘because they’re old enough to know better’ and they’d show polaroids of their grandchildren to each other and play cards instead.  Henry is completely sentimental about a special relationship with a stepson and he mines all the Nashville tropes deliciously.

This is a wonderful hour and a half and one for me to ponder as the end of year lists grow closer.