Will Varley - “Spirit of Minnie”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 8

Pairs Well With…Billy Bragg, Frank Turner, James McMurtry

English folk-rock artist Will Varley hasn’t released a proper studio record since 2018’s Spirit of Minnie, but he did share a live set from Shepherd’s Bush Empire mixing full band and solo acoustic tracks from across his catalog. The feeling that rises to the top of Varley’s live music is passion, whether it’s in crowd’s spot-on sing-a-long grip or in the heart of the singer-songwriter’s emotional balladry. On the other hand, big songs like “King for a King” and “Seize the Night” sound downright epic, really highlighting the power in Varley’s rooted, relatable songwriting. (Kevin McStravick)

2018 Review: In years past, Will Varley’s lyrically strong storytelling has been a mix of the heartfelt and the philosophical.  He typically projects his deep, gravelly voice in a traditional folk cadence that might bring forth an image of Renaissance festival attendees solemnly circling a Maypole to his melancholy voice and guitar strumming. But for Varley, “the times they are a-changin.”  His 2016 album, Kingsdown Sundown was pointed and political, with songs like “To Build a Wall” and “We Want Our Planet Back.”  Now just fourteen months later, he has released Spirit of Minnie, his first album with a full band.  The stripped down one-man, one-guitar sound and political commentary have been replaced with a fuller sound and a focus on self-examination and relationships.