Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Since the mid-2010s, Londoner Will Westerman has quietly amassed an engaging catalog of airy, downtempo pop songs that cut an interesting path through the pristine studio craft of late-'70s soft rock, U.K. folk, and the warm synth-pop of '80s pioneers like Talk Talk and the Blue Nile. Although his output of singles and EPs has stayed relatively consistent, he's taken his time to work up to a full-length, letting his material evolve at its own thoughtful pace. Spearheaded by the misty tones of "Blue Comanche" and the quixotic wanderlust of "Think I'll Stay," Westerman's first long-form set, Your Hero Is Not Dead, is a beguiling and subtle debut. Placing content over hooks, his delicately constructed songs come across as a little unassuming at first, though they are easy to spend time with and soon open like warm little rooms of introspective sonic splendor. Recorded mostly in Portugal and produced by longtime collaborator, Nathan Jenkins (aka Bullion), the arrangements are deliberately sparse and textured with luxurious reverbs and vaporous synth pads complementing Westerman's heavily-treated guitar work. In a soft-edged voice that is, at times, reminiscent of Arthur Russell, he reflects on relationships, the beauty of simplicity, and moving through strife in a relaxed but forthright manner that dovetails neatly with his soothing music. A moving soundtrack of the self that would as easily complement a bird's eye view from a plane window as it would a long pastoral walk, Westerman creates music to think and daydream and plot adventures to. Arriving among a musical landscape of clean, but often vacuous bedroom pop, he has created something of lasting substance and clarity.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - William Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Westerman, MainArtist - Nathan Jenkins, Producer - Will Westerman, Composer
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Album review
Since the mid-2010s, Londoner Will Westerman has quietly amassed an engaging catalog of airy, downtempo pop songs that cut an interesting path through the pristine studio craft of late-'70s soft rock, U.K. folk, and the warm synth-pop of '80s pioneers like Talk Talk and the Blue Nile. Although his output of singles and EPs has stayed relatively consistent, he's taken his time to work up to a full-length, letting his material evolve at its own thoughtful pace. Spearheaded by the misty tones of "Blue Comanche" and the quixotic wanderlust of "Think I'll Stay," Westerman's first long-form set, Your Hero Is Not Dead, is a beguiling and subtle debut. Placing content over hooks, his delicately constructed songs come across as a little unassuming at first, though they are easy to spend time with and soon open like warm little rooms of introspective sonic splendor. Recorded mostly in Portugal and produced by longtime collaborator, Nathan Jenkins (aka Bullion), the arrangements are deliberately sparse and textured with luxurious reverbs and vaporous synth pads complementing Westerman's heavily-treated guitar work. In a soft-edged voice that is, at times, reminiscent of Arthur Russell, he reflects on relationships, the beauty of simplicity, and moving through strife in a relaxed but forthright manner that dovetails neatly with his soothing music. A moving soundtrack of the self that would as easily complement a bird's eye view from a plane window as it would a long pastoral walk, Westerman creates music to think and daydream and plot adventures to. Arriving among a musical landscape of clean, but often vacuous bedroom pop, he has created something of lasting substance and clarity.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:43
- Main artists: Westerman
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Play It Again Sam
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam 2020 Westerman under exclusive license to Play It Again Sam
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.