How To Love. Withered Hand

Withered Hand is Dan Willson, a former Londoner, living in Edinburgh, turned Scot. You may have found him on these pages with a couple of singles already. His debut album, 'New Gods' (2014) passed me by but may be something to catch up on fast. How To Love is his first album since then.

Disrespectful, I could write that How To Love is an album representing a fallen over cupboard stacked with records. There's so much any listener would find familiar in sound and atmosphere. If this was something holding me back for more than a second, it was put aside very fast. How To Love is an album so filled with great songs, it is a joy to listen to.

I will let you figure it all out for yourself, so you can fill in your own favourites. Today, I focus on the content Withered Hand offers. What stands out, is the melodic prowess of the songs. Together with his producer, Tony Doogan and the musicians playing on the album, Willson found richly layered melodies. The song are so carefully and often delicately built up, so welll crafted. The clear sound and spacious mix, leaving room for all the instruments to shine, is the icing on Withered Hand's cake.

Over it all Dan Willson sings with his slightly sad but certainly sweet voice. The title song may be the best example on the album. His voice is able to share the pain and uncertainty of "not knowing how to love", without descending into utter despair. The clear, twangy lead guitar played Malcolm Benzie underscores the singing in a perfectly balanced way.

Promo photo: Jannica Honey

Playing several of its songs in mid-tempo, Withered Hand touches on folk, country and ballads. Some songs are more a mix of these styles, others more true to form. Willson dips his toe into the U.K. and U.S. forms of these musical styles. As soon as the tempo goes up some, Withered Hand turns out to be able to play pop and indie as well. For me it is the mix of it all that made How To Love stand out in the first place. Secondly, it makes the album grow each time I hear it.

Dan Willson started out writing songs at a late age, in his thirties and took his time writing and honing the songs for his second album. Those who were actually waiting since 2014, are most likely not disappointed. For me How To Love is a great introduction to an artist, who undoubtedly has an other career besides making music. If so, it makes this album even a greater feat. Dan Willson must have been striving for perfection in the past nine years. Goal achieved, in my book.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order How To Love here:

https://witheredhand.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-love-album-2023