Joshua Vaughn

Jesse Welles debut album under his new solo folk rock act is a worthy entry into the pantheon of American folk rock and protest music. The writing is fresh and often very sharp, with Welles offering a broad and scathing critique of contemporary culture (that’s what this is… it’s not meant to be a critical analysis of the systems of domination we live under… it’s a comment on the intersection of pop culture and politics) His use of irony and sarcasm fits right into the protest song tradition and is often hilarious, thought provoking, and smart, and even if the ideas he’s exploring aren’t exactly something you haven’t already thought about before, it’s his framing and unique perspective that keeps this stimulating. Many of the melodies, whether vocal, harmonica, or guitar, seem almost sublime. The guitar playing is precise and beautiful, digging deeply into 20th century Americana for its DNA. While he may use similar rhythms, sounds, and techniques across the album (the lead guitar on “God, Abraham, and Xanax” and the whistling on “Whistle Boeing,”) it’s always thoughtful, catchy, and fresh. Plus, he certainly can’t be accused of being lacking in the versatility department. It’s safe to say Welles, whose rise into the folk scene has seemed quite sudden, has already earned his place alongside folk legends Willie Nelson and Neil Young on the Farm Aid 2024 Lineup.