If you’re not listening to Justin Clyde Williams yet, then it’s about time you change that. Luckily, his brand new album is a great place to start.
Hailing from Hickory, NC, Williams is one of country music’s best kept secrets, and I’ll stand by that. The follow up to his 2021 debut solo album Empty Rooms, and released on the heels of his Dick and Tammy duo project with frequent collaborator Tyler Hatley last summer, Flying is the perfect extension to Williams’ underrated catalog, and it might be just what he needs to take his career to the next level.
Produced by Kentucky’s very own Nicholas Jamerson, a talented artist in his own right and a close friend of Williams’, this album represented a sonic leap for Williams when it hit streaming platforms in October. While his first album and the majority of tracks he had released were largely stripped-back acoustic ballads, Flying features a handful of harder-driving, fiddle and steel laden country tunes to back his velvety vocals and bolster the sonic attack.
Have no fear, though, because there is still a fair share of stripped-back balladry on the record, too, and that is where the stage is set for his next level songwriting prowess to shine.
As clever of a lyricist as they come, Williams’ song content often revolves around heavy subject matter like love, loss, and finding beauty in the struggle, but for every track that will have you feeling emotional, he’ll have another that brings you back up with a laugh. A dichotomous feat in artistry that few have seemed to master since John Prine, Williams’ uncanny ability to weave seamlessly between knee-slapper and tear-jerker is unmatched in today’s country music scene.
Featuring 11 deftly written tracks that do just that, Flying starts off the record hot with the rambler’s anthem in “Born to Roam,” and from then on, Williams refuses to lay off the throttle until the final note of the poignant closer “No Demise,” effectively taking the listener on a 35 minute emotional roller coaster.
From the humorous track “85” through which Williams perfectly encapsulates the inevitable road rage that comes with driving on I-85, to the lowdown and lonesome love song “Kansas City,” and everything in between, there is something for everyone on this record. And with that said, I reckon it’s about time you give it a listen for yourself.
Whether you’re here for a laugh, a heartbreak, or one heck of a country record, Flying has you covered. Here’s a few early favorites:
“Born to Roam”
“Kansas City”
“85”
“Blue Daffodils”
What a record.
And to add to the heavier side of the album, though, it is important to note that the album’s October 2nd release date is no coincidence. In fact, it’s a day of great solemnity and importance to Williams as it marks what would have been his older brother’s 40th birthday. In a post made to Instagram back around the release date, he elaborated on what the day means to him, and it’s worth the read.
Justin Clyde Williams is one of a kind, folks.
