After moving to Nashville at 17 from his home base of Phoenix, Arizona, Justin Nelson wanted to make it big as a touring drummer but later found out that playing for other people became “terribly lifeless and dull” – I feel his pain – so with that, he turned inward and starting creating music again for himself. Now at 22, Nelson has released this summer his debut The Sound of a Broken Heart. With his first recording he wanted to create an organic, real and live album but also, songs with “big builds, anticipation, deepest feelings and high soaring melodies.” On his Bandcamp site his bio reads: Lover / Seeker of big songs that make you feel big things. “ And indeed, his first song, which is also that album’s title, did just that.
The opening track starts off with a steady acoustic rhythm and Nelson’s deep, raspy voice. The instruments chime in together slowly on the second verse and from there, the song keeps getting better. The melody is big, spacious and inspirational – Nelson takes his vocal chops, and lungs, to the next level as the drums bash in loud. This tune truly blew me away and if I was a record executive, I would say to Justin, “sign here on the dotted line please, what’s your next record about?” “Don’t Break” has a newer alt-country beat with some help from fellow artist Chris Weber and lovely backup singing from Jess Nelson. “Blankets & Covers” sounds a little old school, a la Springsteen and/or Jackson Browne or Wilco maybe, and has an overall mellower tone, but still in keeping with that ‘big song’ feel that Nelson was looking for. Ethan Barrette, who helped Nelson with mixing, engineering and producing Broken Heart, did a fine job adding texture with warm tones from the keyboard. “Show Me” starts off with Nelson singing – “I think I hate myself…I feel I’m wasting time” but it’s not all gloomy – it’s a song about clinging onto a hope that one finds within oneself and within those you love. “Run Free” is another crooner Nelson belts out along with his baritone guitar, I believe that’s what he plays here, and again, this one has a refreshing, big sound with backup singing at the end, making for a happy sounding song. “Re; Revival” was co-written with bass and lead electric guitar player Ryne Norman. The words to this one go deep – drinking, cancer and prayer – I’m not going to lie, this one gets pretty heavy. The testament within the song feels like it comes from a songwriter who’s seen some crappy things in his life that he never wants to see again. The piano by Jess Nelson, keys by Barrette and added backing vocals sound fantastic and give the song a deeper, soulful dimension. “Hindsight” has a nice, warm live sound with bright guitars, more pop-rock style and tender words of love. “Goodbye” begins with a guitar rhythm and a swaying beat that feels a little ‘50s, but with a modern rock style. It sounds like it would be a good contender for a crooning crowd pleaser and the ending was absolutely beautiful. The closer “Bulletproof (ft. Jess Nelson)” has a great alt-country folk, big sky sound and Jess’ singing pairs with Justin’s voice so well, like spun gold, or dare I say – like a Graham Parsons and Emmylou Harris song – this one was worth waiting for. If Justin Nelson’s single goal was to make a moving, gorgeously layered, well written and executed debut, he has most certainly achieved that. Yes, he’s had a few bumps in the road to get to where he is now as he well describes on his Bandcamp site, but if you were to tell me The Sound of a Broken Heart was a debut, I would say you were lying. It’s one of the most honest, forthright and solid albums, from start to finish, I’ve heard in quite some time.
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