Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Nic Stevens’ debut release, Willow Run, embodies poignant tales and powerful music. The five-song EP’s musical accompaniment can be easily envisioned in an arena setting while his inspirational and spiritual lyrics bring to mind bands like Switchfoot and Lifehouse.
In fact, Stevens’ indie rock sound blends uniquely with his soaring vocals. While it’s hard to place him into one genre, his uplifting, gospel tendencies seem to beg of the Christian genre while his music lends more towards rock and singer-songwriter.
Either way, one thing is clear: his music is uplifting. It comes as no surprise then, that Stevens credits “life, love, and Jesus” as the inspiration behind his debut EP. With song titles including “Perspective,” “Reality” and “Own” Stevens takes the listener on a journey. Never sounding too preachy or lackluster, listeners are comforted in knowing that he doesn’t have it all figured out. Within each song, Stevens weaves stories of characters in a constant search while they question the meaning of life.
“Perspective” kicks things off at full force with guitar and percussion before Stevens’ vocals enter on the track. A powerful number, at times, the musical accompaniment overshadows his singing and the listener struggles to make out the lyrics.
“Own” follows suit with a softer approach. With delicate guitar finger picking and soft vocals, Stevens shows his strength in ballads. “I seem to have forgotten my distance from perfection,” he sings before the music picks up.
The piano-based “Reality” is a moving tale of a girl looking for her purpose to life. Something many can relate to, Stevens’ impassioned vocals combined with soaring music strike a chord.
“Overcome by an emptiness/Wishing for a purpose to life/ She keeps following her broken road/Hoping one day she’ll fly free/Her life is an open book/Listening everywhere for her role/ She tries to play all the parts/Losing who she is meant to be,” he sings.
While it is uncertain if the girl in the song finds herself, the uplifting music comforts and convinces the listener that she has.
“My Beautiful” picks up the pace with an energetic electric guitar feature before Stevens comes in singing, “It’s a beautiful day, it’s a beautiful day, my beautiful.” An optimistic number, the track’s heavy guitar and percussion accompaniment offer a new sound to Willow Run.
Stand-out track, “This Town” closes the album. A moving song, Stevens continues to question his life, but seems to have found himself. A fitting way to end Willow Run, the slow piano and additional music accompaniment brings the album full circle and leaves listener satisfied and wondering what is up next for Nic Stevens.
“Faith and love have let me down/But the hope of better days is live and strong,” he sings optimistically.
With a fall tour scheduled and another album release in the works for 2011, Nic Stevens shows no signs of slowing down.
Review Written by Annie Reuter
