Signed to Island Records this summer, Wyatt Flores has built up a grassroots fanbase across social media and has already amassed over 180 million global streams. He made his move from Stillwater, Oklahoma to Nashville in 2022 and is already on a headlining tour across the country with most of the shows already selling out.
Flores’ unique blend of country, rock, Americana, and bluegrass weaves together fans from so many genres and you only have to listen to ‘West of Tulsa’ to see why. There’s an earthy, organic feel to the song that captures a cultural zeitgeist running rampant across artists like Zach Bryan, Charles Wesley Godwin and 49 Winchester right now. As the song barrels along you’ll hear snippets of bands like the Wallflowers and Counting Crows but you’ll also hear legends like Tom Petty in there too.
Elsewhere, it is the power of Flores' storytelling that draws you into his world. ‘313' is a cinematic gem woven with beautiful steel guitars and Flores' evocative vocals. The song narrates a tale of missed opportunities, drunken nights, and bad decisions leading to a fateful car crash. The combination of excellent storytelling and expansive melodies creates a powerful experience, immersing the listener in the narrative and evoking a sense of hope for a happy ending. Similarly, ‘Holes' sees Flores portraying a man down on his luck, possibly drifting from town to town, echoing troubadour vibes with a touch of Willie Nelson. The quiet acoustic vibes build around a strong, repeating melody, expressing the loneliness and longing for the girl left behind. The lyrics reveal vulnerability as Flores reminisces, “I used to be a dreamer way before I lost her,' whilst ‘Astronaut,'finds Flores delivering an intimate acoustic experience, drawing parallels between astronauts and the vulnerability of a relationship. The poignant lyrics and Flores' soulful vocals create an atmosphere as if he's right there in the room with you. The song seamlessly blends border town Texan Country Rock with powerful vocals, reminiscent of Coldplay jamming with bands like Counting Crows, especially in its anthemic final third.
Perhaps the heart of this EP resides in ‘Orange Bottles,' the most open, raw and impactful song on ‘Life Lessons.' ‘Orange Bottles' delves into the intense, unsettling aspects of life on the road, exploring numbness and self-reflection. The repeating acoustic guitar melody serves as the backdrop for Flores' introspective lyrics. The song gradually builds in rawness and intensity, evolving into a Mumford & Sons-style folk/Texan anthem with fiddles, horns, and guitars driving the momentum forward in its anthemic final third before it finishes its breathless 3 minute rollercoaster: hinting at the huge and successful career ahead for this talented musician.
Not everything on ‘Life Lessons' is tortured angst or self deprecating regrets though. The EP contains two toe-tappingly infectious songs that will be perfectly suited to Flores' live shows. The title track is a jaunty Texan song with a gorgeous, harmonious chorus. The lyrics encourage finding one's own path in life and resisting societal expectations. The infectious and joyous tune carries a slight Bluegrass influence, with banjos running wild and harmonies delighting. The song exudes ‘seize the day' vibes, delivering an uplifting and anthemic experience which is also reflected on tracks like album closer, ‘Wild Cats.' Closing the EP on a high note, ‘Wild Cats' offers a raucous, honky-tonk piano-driven experience in which Flores reminisces about wild school days: delivering pure fun with playful lyrics and upbeat energy. The addition of referee whistles and gang vocals add texture and flavour here, making it a standout track that promises to shine in live performances.
In ‘Life Lessons,' Wyatt Flores showcases his storytelling prowess and musical versatility, delivering an EP that resonates with authenticity and emotion. Each track brings something unique to the table, creating a captivating and diverse listening experience that will point you in the direction of everything from Willie Nelson to Texas bar room hard wood floors through to bands like the Wallflowers and Counting Crows. Wyatt Flores is a wonderful, original and unique artist with a big future ahead of him.
Tracklist: 1. 313 2. Astronaut 3. Holes 4. Life Lessons 5. Orange Bottles 6. West of Tulsa 7. Wild Cats Record Label: Island Records Release Date: 17th November Buy ‘Life Lessons' right here
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