Will Sheff
Nothing Special
Release Date: Oct 7, 2022
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Record label: ATO
Music Critic Score
How the Music Critic Score works
Buy Nothing Special from Amazon
Album Review: Nothing Special by Will Sheff
Great, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 3.8/5
Middle-aged man rambles through poetic autumnal narratives Every fall I return to two gems of the late-era Okkervil River catalog: The Silver Gymnasium and Away, both of which (in different ways) I've found to perfectly capture the peculiar feel of the season. Therefore, I was delighted when Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff released his first solo effort in early October, right on time. Nothing Special appears to be (by intent) a very one-note release, leaning hard on its strong lyrics and Sheff's distinct vocal style over sparse musical arrangements.
Based on rating 7.5/10
Dropping the Okkervil River name 20 years after his first full-length release may seem like an odd choice at first, but after listening to Will Sheff's solo "debut" one can understand where the change was called for. Nothing Special is a platter of rich, reflective, folk rock-inspired tracks--all clocking at five minutes or longer--that's easily recognizable as the work of the same person who long fronted that beloved Austin indie band, but consciously attempts something different. Very low key, but oh-so-listenable.
'Nothing Special'
is available now