All The Right Moves: Sara Watkins “Young In All The Wrong Ways” Album Review
As an artist there is a large amount of change and metamorphosis that can be undertaken as you progress in your career. At least, for some of us this is the case. On “Young In All The Wrong Ways”, singer-songwriter Sara Watkins has shed a skin in a sense and emerged in brilliant new colors and spread her wings to reveal a beautiful collection of introspective songs that have an edge and attitude that is both captivating and gorgeous.
Watkins is probably most well known to many as one third of the progressive bluegrass band Nickel Creek. A band that shaped many folk-bluegrass musician’s paths in the last two decades, but more recent years have seen her delving into other projects, both collaborative and solo. Most recently with the bluegrass power folk trio I’m With Her and the long standing (now more frequently touring) Watson Family Hour. And while there is a sense of collaboration here on “Wrong Ways” with the addition of a host of talent throughout the ten tracks, the true shining star is Watkin’s voice and the power that it possesses.
The title track leads off the album with a grit and rock n’ roll flavor with Sara’s voice empowered and forcing outward as she sings ” there was a time for me to hold on, there was a time for trust / but I’m not just gonna sit here in the dust” there is a bitter sting that cuts deep in her delivery. There is an infused passion and soul in these songs that, while occasionally bittersweet or bordering on the sullen end of human emotion, is incredibly impactful and shows through the arrangements of the song. The juxtaposition of the sweetness that is infused in Watkin’s distinct and unique voice with the subject matter of the lyrics postures these songs in a way that hits hard.
‘The Love That Got Away” follows up the more raucous title track in a mellow and melancholy dance of delicately plucked strings and Watkin’s voice ebbing and flowing across the palette that is subtly painted across the backdrop. Its those subtlties that are buried deep and keep you burrowing into the songs to unearth their treasures that make music like this so special. A fading harmony is introduced as piano keys gently push the song forward a bit. Beautiful and heart wrenching.
“Move Me” has an impassioned and fierce edge to it. The arrangement is full of swirling keys and electric guitars with steady drums at the base of the cyclone of sound. Watkins voice takes on a growl and crack of sorts as she sings out and free, with all the emotion and urging a yearning heart can muster as she exclaims “I want you to move me”. Energy and fire.
The latest from Sara Watkins paints her in a different light that I think many of her audience have viewed her in the past. There is a vulnerability and sorrowful tension to her voice as she bares all. While there is a great deal of variety on display here that shows the artist’s ability to perform and excel in a plethora of sonic landscapes ranging from the acoustic driven to the electric guitar heavy, the themes of self reflection and introspection are a brave and soul baring exercises in inner exploration and contemplation that makes the songs that much more relatable and empowered.
