Brad Tursi, best known as the guitarist for Old Dominion and the writer behind many of their hits, steps into the spotlight with his debut solo album ‘Parallel Love.' This side project showcases Tursi's multifaceted talent and creative range, offering a personal glimpse into his life and musical journey. “This process was purely creative. I wasn’t even sure I’d release a project, but when I played it for my team, they all reacted really positively,” Tursi shared. “It felt like everything aligned to finally share it.”
‘Parallel Love' features songs written over the past 10 years, reflecting where Tursi, an accomplished artist, guitarist, and writer, is today. Created with the full support of his band, the album includes co-writes with Stephen Wilson Jr., Dan Isbell, Jessi Alexander, and Matt Jenkins. Tursi not only wrote but also produced the entire project, with Ben West and Marc Scibilia co-producing select tracks.
The album opens with ‘Oh Darlin (Intro),' an acoustic vignette that immediately draws you in with its soulful simplicity. The short track, one of three visits to ‘Oh Darlin' spread throughout the album, about a troubadour on the brink of departure feels intimate, as if Tursi is right there in the room with you. This tender beginning seamlessly transitions into the next song, setting a cohesive tone for the album. That song, ‘Church Bells and Train Whistles' (co-written with our friend Stephen Wilson JR) captures the duality of life with a laid-back, soulful vibe. Tursi sings, “I love the sound of the city but I take that wheat field around with me,” reflecting on how one person can embody contrasting elements. The track has an Old Dominion feel without directly mirroring his work with the band. It’s mature and chill, featuring a tasteful guitar solo that lets the song’s narrative shine.
That pattern, of letting the song speak for itself, is something that can be found all over the album. In a move similar to when Tim McGraw's guitarist, Adam Shoenfeld released his debut album, Tursi lets the songs speak for themselves and resists the urge to rock out in all but one of them. When he does, though, on ‘Lover and a Friend,' it is a joy. That song finds Tursi paying homage to British influences like Elton John and the Beatles. The song’s ‘Sergeant Pepper' style chorus and structure showcase Tursi’s ability to craft sophisticated pop rock within a concise framework. The track ends with an indulgent jam session, the album's biggest guitar moment on a song that would fit within the confines of an Old Dominion live set if Matt Ramsey wants to get off stage and put his feet up for 5 minutes or so!
Elsewhere, tracks like ‘Question the Universe' and ‘Afraid to Lose' find Tursi experimenting with the boundaries of Country, Pop and Rock in some style. The former has a smooth, spacey production with a blues-adjacent vibe. Tursi’s reflective lyrics about a “right person, wrong time” scenario evoke a Billy Joel-esque sentiment, akin to Old Dominion’s ‘New York at Night' sound. It’s a soulful pop song that delves into existential musings with an urban flair whilst ‘Afraid to Lose' is very much the sister song to the aforementioned ‘Lover and a Friend,' as Tursi continues paying tribute to the love of his life. ‘Afraid to Lose' is an acoustically driven song with a restrained and mature pop/rock feel. Combine that with plaintive electric undertones and you'll be left with a kind of New York meets West Coast meets Beatles influence, creating a unique and soulful composition.
Soulful is a good word to describe the songs on ‘Parallel Love.' Take the title track, for instance, which is perhaps where the beating heart of any Country music resides on this album. The song offers a honky-tonk, western flair with a warm, country vibe. Tursi’s duet with in-demand songwriter Trannie Anderson creates a harmonious chorus about enduring love. The song features Tursi’s first true guitar solo on the album, leading to a modulated final third that radiates pure joy and love as the two vocalists compliment each other in uplifting and joyful ways. Flipping the meaning of ‘soulful, let's talk about ‘Where You Been,' which channels the relaxed energy of 1970s Laurel Canyon. ‘Where You Been' is a soulful pop/rock anthem about reconnecting with old friends. The laid-back vibes and guitar tones are reminiscent of James Taylor and Rod Stewart, celebrating the joy of rekindling connections and cherishing good times in a nostalgic yet original way.
A little more of the Country influence can be found on ‘Crazy Life.' With its mid-tempo shuffle, this song builds to a melodic chorus celebrating the chaotic life of touring musicians. It has a modern ‘On the Road Again' vibe, with Tursi referencing Willie Nelson in the first verse as a touchstone. The song is an understated, catchy anthem for those chasing dreams on the road. That life on the road, troubadour vibe opens, bridges and closes down the album with the song ‘Oh Darlin' split into three parts. The album closes with ‘Oh Darlin (Outro),' the final part of the song that began the journey on the opening track. The gentle acoustic refrain and melody send Tursi’s love back home, ending the album on a plaintive and wistful note, as this weary and beaten down musician hopes his wife back home will still recognise him when his tour is finished.
‘Parallel Love' is a deeply personal and authentic debut from Brad Tursi. The album reflects his growth as a musician and storyteller, showcasing a range of influences while maintaining a cohesive narrative. Tursi’s solo project stands as a testament to his versatility and creative spirit, inviting listeners to join him on a heartfelt musical journey. There's a lot of duality layered into this album across the sounds, styles and lyrics on offer and even the album cover leans into the image of a man and musician who has more than just one string to his bow.
Tracklist: 1. Oh Darlin (Intro) 2. Church Bells and Train Whistles 3. Question the Universe 4. Where You Been 5. Parallel Love 6. Oh Darlin (Interlude) 7. Crazy Life 8. Lover and a Friend 9. Afraid to Lose 10. Oh Darlin (Outro) Release Date: July 19th Record Label: Sony Nashville Buy or stream ‘Parallel Love' in all the usual places.
