Following on his acclaimed debut album 'Dawn In The Distance', Justin Wells is back with a new record. 'The United State' is big on melody and great guitar-based country rock that finds its unity in subtly exploring the human experience of searching, understanding, and acknowledgement across life’s journey.
From the first listen it is clear that Wells has a talent for writing great guitar-based hooks and melodies. His vocal style suits a number of genres as is evident on the soulful blues of ‘After The Fall’ as it is on the country-rock ‘Never Better’.
The guitars are always to the fore in the mix, yet never overpowering and always gripping. With slide and harmonic effects scattered across the album, the sound is fresh and guaranteed to catch the listener’s attention. In places it’s reminiscent of the works of Israel Nash.
Justin Wells is a fine songwriter and although sometimes the lyrics can be buried in the overall sound of the record, upon repeated listen they detail timeless themes of love, loss, and acceptance.
Highlights include the funky ‘It’ll All Work Out’, the brooding ‘Some Distance From It All’, and the anthemic ‘Walls Fall Down’.
‘The United State’ is an album that combines well-written lyrics and great melodies that pays out upon repeated listening.