Bryony Williams – ‘You Are Here’ Album Review
Last month, local Indie Rock singer-songwriter Bryony Williams released her debut album ‘You Are Here’ with her heart on her sleeve, resulting in an exceptional work of Alternative Indie Rock magic.
The Next chapter
Bryony Williams is an artist with an eclectic taste, one in which you’ll find multiple genres laced within the sonic landscape. Williams has been busy grafting to achieve her sound. This is an artist who has a phenomenal amount of unrealised potential while still having served the music community for a decade, gathering her knowledge and skills along the way. This has resulted in an album which has a diverse sound and songs which have been prepared remarkably.
2025 is a huge year for Bryony as she embarks on a UK tour with her four-piece band, as well as gaining support slots for Loose Articles and Lizzie Esau. This album release signifies a new era in her craft, as it is the sum of eight years of hard work weaving her sonic tapestry, as she opens the door to what the next chapter has in store for her. Spoiler: It’s going to be great.
A Sign of Great Musicians
February is where 2025 got rolling for Williams, as themes of mental health, personal growth, travel and her journey as a musician got put to track with a host of trip-hop style synths and drum samples, Joy Division bass hooks, country acoustic aesthetics and an Indie Pop songwriting sensibility providing enough catchy lyrics and guitar lines for the pickiest of muso. The joyful pop-punk feel of Trip Me Up is balanced out with the brooding, hypnotic atmosphere of Berlin. The latter is my favourite track, as it sends the listener into a trance each time.
Then, meet in the middle with Inbetween Days, a post-grunge 90s anthem. Only it’s happening in 2025. Honestly, the cheeky semi-tone guitar lead towards the end is unreal. The band are experts at doing a lot with less, which is a sign of great musicians.
The country vibes are roaring on The Party, as a slide and/or a lap steel guitar is played expertely. You’d have thought this was recorded straight from Nashville, this country sound is laced here and there in most tracks, giving the album a feel of prime Kings of Leon. Especially with the added crunch of occasional garage rock guitar.
Storytelling
The album, which features artwork of a mountain road, also takes us on a journey through music history. Selecting different aspects of rock and alternative music, Williams moulds them together to create what is ultimately an incredible indie pop record. The live title track is an iconic acoustic anthem, which displays how vulnerable Williams’ voice and lyrics can be. The guitar melody gently sounds an emotional melody, which is full of soul. This storytelling aspect of the vocals pulls you in, as the sometimes difficult subject matter goes through a spiritual cleansing process, thanks to Bryony and the band.
Be sure to catch Bryony Williams live on her UK tour, as well as check out this exceptional debut album ‘You Are Here’ by one of our brightest stars in the Indie scene.
