It isn't often that I am completely floored by an album when it drops, but when I am I should let y’all know. Dan Campbell, of The Wonder Years fame, recently dropped the sophomore album for his side project, Aaron West and The Roaring 20's (shortened to AW20 for ease of writing), and it’s been on repeat since day one.
Campbell has for a while now been an inspiration to me, as a burgeoning writer. His ability to tell stories through cohesive, interesting and wholly unique acoustic tracks had me hooked from first listen of AW20’s first record, and I’m happy to report the same feeling tenfold with this new album.
I am forever enthralled by songwriters who can weave a narrative through an album without making it essential to know the full story. Each song stands on its own, able to sprawl and play out without falling apart if listened to out of tracklist order. It’s a testament to Campbell's musical ability that this is the case. I adore the little references to the wider narrative Campbell has penned for his characters, and it's safe to say I am forever relating to the tragic hero that exists in Aaron West.
The musicality of this record is nothing to be sniffed at either. Expanding on the acoustic tracking that made up the majority of AW20’s first record, Campbell employs the use of a wide and impressive range of instruments to emphasise and differentiate each track. Again, I’m left stunned by his ability to sense mood and emotion, choosing the right instruments to deepen the detail that lies beyond his words.
Please support this record. invest some time into Aaron west’s bittersweet tragedy. It’s worth your time simply for how impressive the detail is. I cannot recommend this record enough.
Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties - Routine Maintenance. out now on all major streaming platforms
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