“Please stay with me this time. Before I change my mind.”
Five years after his debut album, singer-songwriter Cory Wells is finally ready to return with his sophomore full-length. The California artist blends folk-based acoustic instrumentals with harsher, post-hardcore vocals in an intriguing blend, owing to his roots playing in a metal band before discovering Dashboard Confessional. The earnest and raw delivery has been a point of interest since discovering him years ago, writing viscerally from his past experiences. The album title, Harboring The Hurt I’ve Caused, speaks for itself regarding its lyrical themes.
Describing his first album as “just one side of the story”, Wells’ second album continues on the themes of hurt and heartbreak, taking an angle of realisation and reflection. As the album begins on its title track, the familiar melancholic strumming of before makes a welcome return. Despite its stripped back sound, a backing of strings and bass create a full-bodied atmosphere. The track gradually builds in intensity, achieving release at its bridge as Wells’ signature screamed vocals make their entrance. The forlorn and defeated nature of his vocals throughout the track packs in emotional impact, making for a perfect opener.
Wells’ unique vocal style is a major standout to his sound, with a talent for crafting memorable melodies. There’s an impressive stability to his voice, the his smoothly serenading singing to harsher, hardcore-influenced screaming. On “Do You Like That You Love Me”, he embodies his full range, with soaring falsettos and gritty belted sections boosting the track’s dynamics. It’s not an easy to make those vocals work this well against a much lighter soundscape, but Wells’ makes it look easy.
This isn’t to say the album isn’t musically involved. Though it’s driven by an acoustic sound, there’s careful intention in creating an atmosphere. Sections of layered guitar often come in during the choruses, often accompanied by drums and electric guitar leads like on “Breathe Again”. Not a single track feels like a cheesy acoustic ballad, instead feeling like fully fleshed-out compositions.
The emotion of the album is its strongest point; all the above factors work in harmony to paint a poignant soundscape. There’s a certain bittersweet quality to the album, a comforting nature that’s a result of Wells’ honest songwriting. Centering on living with one’s past mistakes and witnessing its impact, there’s a genuine sense of regret in his voice. In his words, Wells’ has “always written from trauma”, and there’s a lot to appreciate in how vulnerable he allows himself to be. A line off the title track sums up his feelings towards his situation best.
“I’m only getting worse while you’re harbouring the hurt I’ve caused.”
The album ends on a cover of 70s folk rock ballad “Long, Long Time”, originally performed by Linda Ronstadt. Normally I’d be rather jaded with an album ending on a cover, but Wells’ rendition of the song is rather heartfelt and earnest. Where most covers can feel ham-fisted and cliché, it’s thankfully not the case here as Wells pays his tribute to the classic.
As a continuation from his first album, Harboring The Hurt I’ve Caused definitely displays a sense of continuity. It doesn’t try to reinvent Wells’ sound in any way, opting for consistency. Arguably, there isn’t much to change, with his sound being such an effective manner of delivering emotion. Admittedly, the album experience did feel a bit short, due to most of the it already being released as singles. Regardless, it’s still one that is beautifully poetic. At its core, Harboring The Hurt I’ve Caused is an emotionally transparent experience; vulnerable and melancholic, all done in a no-frills and genuine fashion.
8/10
Harboring The Hurt I’ve Caused release son the 15th of March via Pure Noise Records. Pre-order and merch links for the album can be found here.