The debut self-titled album from Australian neo-bush balladeer Watty Thompson is a big feeling.
When reviewing an album, the first listen is normally quite a manic process. Half the time your mind’s racing with thoughts, comparisons and critiques; the other half, you’re rewinding songs because note-taking has diverted your attention from what’s unfolding in front of you. It’s quite a stop-start process.
Now and again though, you come across an artist whose songwriting is so immersive, that upon completion of their album you look at your notes and think, ‘Ah shit, I didn’t write anything’.
Watty Thompson has that ability.
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Regardless of what your day has offered up, Thompson provides the remedy. Whether you’re pining over lost love; lusting for a new one; or just embracing the simplicity of day-to-day life, the Otways-based artist will make you tune in and switch off for a moment. And with his straight-to-the-point style of lyricism; gravelly, cigarette-stained vocals and heavy Antipodean drawl cutting through your speakers like an ocker therapist telling you to ‘man up and get more sensitive’, he’ll make you think.
Refreshingly, his ability to do so is never in a subversive way, with Thompson’s songwriting largely finding its profundity through its observational and earnest relatability. From the socially aloof characteristics examined in ‘Jenny’, to ‘A Revolving Lament’s thoughtful considerations of wanting to quit drinking, but still really liking it; Thompson’s home truths are one’s that many will easily resonate with.
Many already have, with his 10-piece backing band, The Total Fire Band, boasting an illustrious list of collaborators helping to bring Thompson’s individualistic vision to life. The opening track ‘By Your Side’ balances delicate string arrangements behind Thompson’s brash, slurred vocals. ‘City To Run’ adds the dazzle of country-pop backing vocals to help boost its jovial nature and ‘Mountain Sage’ brings it all together, feeling like a backyard symphony as each of the 11 members effortlessly intertwines.
In another particularly standout moment, ‘On Your Shoulder’ sees Thompson marry an enigmatic flute melody with a flurry of electric guitars; powerful brass arrangements and harmonious backing vocals. Considering its triumphant form as a song, and the fact that it was born out of a flute riff that he’d been sitting on for 13 years, it seems fitting that the song’s chorus sees Thompson reflect on not giving up on your dreams.
And that is really what Watty Thompson’s self-titled debut comes across as; a man living his dream. He’s already cut his teeth amongst the local rock ‘n’ roll bands of the 2010s (Sheriff, Jumpin’ Jack Williams, Bitter Sweet Kicks, The Neptune Power Federation) and now he’s returning to his roots to write the music that he’s always wanted to write.
As a result, it’s delivered with an authenticity that can’t be faked.
Watty Thompson the debut LP is out through Cheatin’ Hearts on April 14th, 2023.
