Have You Heard? Westerman - Albatross

Across 2018, Will Westerman has quietly but confidently shown himself to be a truly special new voice. Following a series of early, rustic folk numbers, it was ‘Confirmation’, released back in February, that really showed the way forward, with production from frequent collaborator Bullion taking his calming songwriting to new, slinkier territories. It was an ambition followed up and furthered on the brilliant ‘Edison’ and ‘Easy Money’.

The singer has now announced details of new EP ‘Ark’ - out in November via Blue Flowers - and its first track ‘Albatross’ is a solidification of everything that’s marked him out as one to watch. “‘Albatross’ is set on a lake in my mind where I go to escape the worries of day to day existence,” Will says of the song. “It’s a more innocent and natural place.”

It’s a narrative that’s wonderfully reconstructed in the track - his gorgeous, honeyed vocal muses on lazy days and escapism above thudding synthetic percussion that’s slowly but surely joined by warm, inviting synths and a stunning yet seemingly effortless vocal turn. Effortlessness is something Westerman is a master of, and the conviction and ease with which he escapes into these songs of bliss make it all the easier to join him there.