By Zach Collier
With so much music in the Provo music scene, it’s easy to get sucked in and start listening to music in a bubble. It’s always great to see what awaits you in the broader world of sonic textures, and to find new recommendations that can inspire you to make music differently than you did before.
As a touring keyboardist myself, I’m a sucker for well-executed organ features, and this song by Alabama indie country artist Stephen Wheeler has them in spades. Part of his 2023 album When Crying Comes Easy, this song shows remarkable restraint and great interplay between all of the instruments. The percussion, the guitar, and the piano all compliment each other and play in the gaps. It fits nicely.
I’m personally not a country fan, but Stephen’s got a solid voice and the harmonies are really lush. It’s really soothing and dynamic, and the quality of the mix and the instrumental interplay made me forgive the 5:35 runtime. I found myself unintentionally letting this run on repeat. I don’t know what it is, but I really vibe with this one.
The song was written to raise awareness for the American Lung Association. The goodness behind its inception might be part of the reason why it’s affecting me so much. Regardless, I dig it.
If you like what you hear, make sure to follow Stephen Wheeler on Instagram. You can hear “She Says She’s Not Afraid” below.