Every once in a while, an artist rises with music that feels like it’s lived a thousand lives before being set to sound. Joe Sensible, the Scottish songwriter who crafted his debut album “Done but Not Dusted” with just his voice and guitar in single-take purity, is back, but this time, he’s delivering something entirely different. Sensible’s upcoming album promises to be a time capsule of heartfelt songs penned during his 20s, and with the release of the first single, “Withered,” which came out on August 2nd, we are invited to journey through the raw emotional terrain of his world. Let’s delve into this.
From the first delicate strums of the acoustic guitar, a calm washes over us. Paired with Joe’s gorgeous vocal delivery, the atmospheric layers of sound transport the mind. The opening chords set a moody atmosphere that hooks us from the first note. Joe’s voice enters softly, with a weight that carries the gravity of the lyrics: “Witherin’ now like a garden weed/dusk falls like a symphony.” This poetic line captures the decay of something once vibrant, and Joe hauntingly delivers it. His vocals are rich and layered, rising and falling with a gentle cadence, evoking shades of Neil Young’s wistful yearning and Nick Cave’s brooding intensity. Joe’s voice neither dominates nor fades, but weaves effortlessly through the acoustic landscape.
What I love most about “Withered” is its lyrical depth. It’s poetry in motion and full of clear imagery. Joe Sensible wrote with a lyrical depth that made me pause, reflecting not just on the song but on my life. Lines like “Trees bare and cold, darkness fills the air” painted a bleak, wintery landscape, while the repetition of “Smell the morning, race the wind, chase the dawn” gave a sense of fleeting hope, a brief burst of light in the middle of this shadowy world. His words gripped me in their truth. The kind of truth we often shy away from, but one that, when faced head-on, feels like a cathartic release.
The production of “Withered” is simple, and that’s where its magic lies. Recorded and mixed by Dan Wilde at Gladeside Studios and mastered by the skilled Luiz Tornaghi, the song never feels overproduced. Every strum of the guitar, every breath Sensible takes, is intentional. The sound is clean but not polished to the point of sterility. Instead, it’s alive with the kind of imperfections that make music feel human and lived-in. It’s almost possible to hear the room where it was recorded, feel the vibrations of the strings, and the small moments that give the song its warmth despite its melancholic mood.
Joe Sensible, with “Withered,” proves that his music is not for the masses—it’s uncompromising and deeply personal. It’s a window into a soul grappling with life’s inevitable truths, and in its unflinching honesty, it becomes universal. As a listener, I was struck by the sheer honesty of “Withered.” Joe Sensible isn’t making music for charts or accolades; he’s making music for himself, and that authenticity bleeds through every note. It’s an unapologetically introspective song, and while it may not be for everyone, those of us who connect with it will find it hard to let go. If this is any indication, Joe’s upcoming album will be a treasure trove for those of us who appreciate the delicate balance of beauty and sadness that only true artistry can provide.
Listen to “Withered” by Joe Sensible on Spotify or SoundCloud
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