No Wonder The World is Exhausted is one of those special albums that feels good the moment you slip it on. Newcastle singer-songwriter Ben Leece’s voice is rich and self-assured, reminding me a little of Springsteen or John Mellencamp. It’s masculine, a little gritty, the kind of voice that lets you know you’re in good hands. Add in superb instrumentation, the cry of a slide guitar, the wail of an electric, the strum of an acoustic guitar, all carefully layered, and you’re in for a real treat.
I found myself getting swept up in the romance of opening track “Rebel Alone.” “Highway Not the Dream” reminds me of what we might hear in a modern-day honky-tonk bar. There’s that classic influence, but with contemporary sounds too. Ben is so good at building on classic sounds. His tracks have their roots in country, but he plays a little with the genre, adding some sexy bluesiness, a little rock edge. It’s modern and fresh, and honestly irresistible. The rousing “A Hole” doesn’t stir you I’d check for a pulse. Beautiful ballads like “Villains,” “Smoke Signals,” and the poignant closing track “Stuck to My Guns” help balance the album’s upbeat numbers, making that “Rebel Alone” the title track introduced us to seem a little more vulnerable.
No Wonder The World is Exhausted is so accessible, but that’s not a bad thing. While it might not challenge the ear, don’t underestimate what it takes to create songs that instantly forge a connection with listeners. I loved this album from the start, but with each subsequent listen I’m falling a little deeper.
No Wonder The World is Exhausted is out now.
Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity