Sam Wickens ‘Watson’ EP

NI Music Prize Nominee Sam Wickens has released his new single ‘Murky Waters’ along with his new EP ‘Watson.’ The first single from the EP, ‘Strange.24’ was released on 24th November 2020 to much critical acclaim. The five-track ‘Watson EP’ is the second major release since his critically acclaimed debut album ‘All I’ve Seen’ in 2019.

There is no denying the depth of earnestness in Wickens’ songs. Within ‘Watson’, the listener is invited to delve deep and explore the crevices of his artistic mind through masterful songwriting and compelling musicianship.

The auto-tuned synth drone of opener ‘Sunday Smile, Pt 1’ introduces the EP. Wickens’ rich vocals flow over a jaunty guitar and buoyant rhythmic bounce, while subtle country warmth mangled within R&B hues and icy electronic soundscapes display the EP’s tight, dark, and intriguing production. ‘Watson, Pt 2’ elegantly chimes with lamenting picked guitar as thumping drums pulse in the background, creating the track’s increasing heartbeat through a skilful use of synths and static noises.

Deft use of production sees Wickens increase the EP’s intensity as each song progresses, as if building to a massive pinnacle point…. ‘Murky Waters.’ This raw, rumbling maelstrom of mental torment is a fantastic display of Wickens’ first-rate musicianship. Shadowy drum rumbles, and bubbling electronics haunt in the background while a distorted guitar wail and chilling backing vocals express a harrowing sense of struggle within the music. A suffocating, muggy soundscape constricts and smothers an innocent twinkling on keys which at times rises to break free only to be pulled under and smothered again. The light, gentle keys provide a wonderful contrast to Wicken’s beautiful deep vocals which exude a soulless sense of sorrow. ‘Murky Waters’ is pain, struggle and release personified through music. It is utterly sublime and an enthralling piece of music.

Although ‘Murky Waters’ is a powerful and stand-out gem on the EP, within each track there is something special that allows them to shine just as brightly. My favourite track on the EP is arguably ‘This War of Mine‘. The raw emotion, hope, and pain expressed through Wicken’s lyrics is heartbreaking. “In time ill find some peace of mind. In time, I’ll lose this war of mine”. Suspenseful ethereal synths maintain an uplifting, hopeful tone while the pulsing beat covers the backdrop in an ominous shadow that is difficult to shake as Wickens coos a heartbreaking lyric “buried in the earth the last line of belief”.

Brooding electronics merge with country tones and oodles of soul in ‘Strange.24’ to bring ‘Watson’ to a perfect and epic finale. This song comforts, soothes, and caresses the visceral wounds of the tracks that went before. Maintaining its innocence and sweet tones an uplifting hopeful piano, which was smothered in other tracks such as ‘ Murky Waters’, comes to the forefront. Wispy synths and ethereal soundscapes raise the song’s atmosphere as Wickens’ warm rasped vocals discuss the acceptance of recovering from a battle with mental illness. “Feeling strange, it all just went away.” As the track drifts into its cinematic crescendo Wickens leaves us with hope and more tears, but these tears are of relief and joy this time.

‘Watson’ is an EP that reveals more and more with each listen allowing the listener to experience emotion, hope, pain, and mental anguish through the artist’s eyes. Wickens delivers this through heartfelt, honest, and passionate musicianship. His ability to stir the soul on such a deep level with his lyrics and music is exquisite. Sam Wickens is a rare talent. He has come a long way since his critically acclaimed debut album ‘All I’ve Seen’ in 2019 and has shown strong musical growth. Wickens has created an EP of solid, sincere, and equally compelling songs that carry the hallmarks of poetic, lyrical, and musical genius.

About his new single Sam Wickens says: “Murky Waters is the realisation that I was raised and put through terrible circumstances. Constantly feeling alone through every obstacle that was placed in front of me. Traumatic events seemed to follow me no matter where I ran, I started to believe that I was some sort of gatekeeper, that my purpose was to absorb the terrible things so others didn’t need too.”

Watch the video for ‘Murky Waters’ below