Patrick Wilson shows an appreciation for the music that came before with his stellar EP Anywhere With a Rooftop. His beautiful, soulful voice soars throughout the collection of songs, complemented so well with a tight band of horns and fiddles and silky-smooth backup vocals from the Bare River Queens.
It’s called an EP but it seems more like a mini-album really, with seven tracks leaving no doubt about Patrick’s talent. The first two songs, “Nobody” and “One Single Moment,” are upbeat crowd-pleasers guaranteed to get your toes tapping.
It shifts gears with “Anywhere,” a lovely country ballad that shows the true breadth of Patrick’s artistry. While the previous songs had strong vocals, it wasn’t until listening to him crooning over this song that I truly understood just how good his voice is.
“Rosemary” is another real standout for me, an aching song of betrayal, so heartbreaking yet with just the right amount of restraint to keep its class. “Hide by the River,” the EP’s final song, proudly wears its classic influences on its sleeve, with lyrics referring to daddy with his shotgun seeking vengeance against his daughter’s suitor. The electric guitars help contemporise this musical Western.
Listening to Anywhere With a Rooftop, it struck me how old school it is. It’s a little bit soul, but in the purest sense. It’s a little bit country, but not as we understand the term now. There’s no hint of crossover here. Again, it’s pure, influenced by the greats. Patrick Wilson is a musical throwback in the very best sense of the word. Someone who reminds us of where music came from and why classic sounds are still celebrated today. When so many artists are following trends, it’s refreshing to hear an EP like Anywhere With a Rooftop which reminds true to its musical roots.
Anywhere With a Rooftop is released on September 22. Patrick will launch the EP with a hometown show at the Union Hotel, Brunswick, on October 7.
Image used with permission from This Much Talent