“Doing cocaine for Jesus, singing all my songs.”
Proving he’s nothing short of a musical machine, nothing, nowhere. returns hot on the heels of his latest release, Dark Magic, with his follow-up album Hell or Highwater. Taking an entirely different approach, the second of four albums slated for this year, shows nothing, nowhere. revealing a more emotive side with a stripped-back sound. Additionally, a western-cowboy theme is interwoven throughout, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
As we’ve come to expect in recent years, nothing, nowhere. once again treats us to a variety of styles, most of which are executed excellently. There’s a lot to unpack, especially if you’re a fan of his more stripped-back, emotive work. However, if you prefer his pop-punk-inspired tracks, there are treats for you as well.
The lead single, “John Wayne (I Wanna Be A Cowboy)”, kicks off the album with an expert blend of nothing, nowhere.‘s signature alt-rock sound and the cowboy aesthetic. He uses live harmonicas to create a unique soundscape that feels fresh and innovative. Other tracks in this vein include “Rodeo Clown”, which starts laid-back but quickly builds into a signature emo alt-rock anthem.
For those who love acoustic, vocal-forward nothing, nowhere., there’s plenty here too. Tracks like “Learn My Lesson”, “Hydrangeas”, “In The Country, Honey”, and “New England” all showcase variations of his signature style with new twists. “Learn My Lesson” stands out, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons. The vocals mimic old-west songs, which can be grating and make what could have been a solid track an easy skip. This is especially disappointing given Lontalius‘ stellar feature. Conversely, “In The Country” shines with Joe’s emotive vocals and a gloomy atmosphere reminiscent of Reaper.
The stars of the release are “Cliche Lovers” and “Shiver”. “Cliche Lovers” encapsulates the sound nothing, nowhere. is known for, with moody, atmospheric guitars, emotive vocals, and gut-wrenching lyrics. My favourite lyric of the album is from this track, and it’s hard not to feel that his fanbase will latch onto it immediately: “In the car park, of a dive bar / There’s an angel, in her dad’s car / Doing cocaine for Jesus, singing all my songs”. “Shiver”, on the other hand, is an upbeat, pop-punk-inspired anthem reminiscent of Trauma Factory, with an infectiously catchy chorus. Telling a story of betrayal, this track showcases nothing, nowhere. at his best, and it’s hard not to hum along.
Overall, Hell Or Highwater offers something for everyone, especially fans of the Reaper era. The western and cowboy theme is an interesting touch, executed with varying levels of success. While some aspects might detract from the overall experience, it’s hard to deny the versatility on display. Artistic skill doesn’t always translate to universal appeal, and some might find parts of this album off-putting. However, for those who give it a shot, there are bound to be new favourites to add to their playlists.
7.5/10
Hell or Highwater releases through Reapers Realm Records on the 28th June and can be pre-ordered here.