Wes Carr was one of the most exciting contestants in the last season of Australian Idol. He performed each song with the easy charisma of a seasoned professional, but anyone who’s followed the Idol machine knows that’s no guarantee of success. After hearing his debut album The Way The World Looks, I’m convinced Wes will not be just another Idol to fall from view.
The husky vocals and warmth Wes brought to the Idol competition are still there, but what struck me most about this recording was songwriting talent. It’s one thing to sing, but another to craft songs this good. Far from a one-trick pony, Wes dabbles in genres to create an album that’s eclectic yet accessible.
It opens with the rollicking honky tonk tones of “Any Other Way,” before launching into the anthemic second single “Feels Like Woah.” He wears his heart on his sleeve with “Light Years,” a slow burner that builds to a soaring crescendo. But my personal favourite is the laidback reggae tinged “Hurricanes.”
There’s a lot to love here, but it’s not an album without flaws. The lyrics to “Love is an Animal” are a little immature, but I guess that’s what happens when you record a song written in your teens. “Stay Awake” would be a brilliant track if it didn’t feel like Gavin Degraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” Part Two.
Yet even the missteps are enjoyable to listen to. It’s just that when Wes gets it right, he sets the bar so high. This is a really solid debut, the kind that takes up permanent residence in your stereo and leaves you anticipating what comes next.
Image source: Wes Carr website