Folk has always been a part of Lee DeWyze’s music, especially evident in his independent releases before his American Idol days.
His post-Idol debut studio album Live It Up, however, which produced two singles Sweet Serendipity and Beautiful Like You in 2010, had stronger pop leanings.
Sophomore effort Frames and now, his latest release Oil & Water, sees the season nine Idol winner drawing closer to his folk roots once again.
The 10-track release feels like a collection of tender and intimate songs – right from the start, with album opener Again, DeWyze invites listeners to a place of personal vulnerabilities.
Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, he reveals his feelings of loneliness, aching to return home to the arms of a loved one, a sentiment he repeats in West.
Elsewhere, he is faced with moments of indecision in Learn To Fall and Way Too Long.
The songs on Oil & Water are driven mostly by just a guitar, and subtle melodies and sentimentality. As the instruments are kept to a minimum, DeWyze’s gravelly vocals are front and centre in the album, shining brightest on the title track and Stone. The latter especially has a great, simple hook which will do well on the radio.
Lee DeWyze
Oil & Water
(Shanachie Records)
