I got a copy of Will Stratton’s sophomore album, ‘No Wonder’, quite awhile back but have yet to give it a proper listen. However, I just happened upon the albums’ first single, “Your Califormia Sky”, during a lackluster ipod shuffle set, and thought it was rather lovely. Perhaps I should give the album more than a surface scratch.

Take A Listen: Your Califormia Sky from Will Stratton

Download: Your Califormia Sky (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Will Stratton – Website

If you are in need of a new lullaby to pacify the ruffling of your sheets as you toss and turn restlessly, any track on Will Stratton’s new album will do. The combination of Stratton’s tranquil voice and tender guitar strokes create a perfect sedative for a weary mind. The album What The Night Said is gently soothing in a minimalist way and exposes Stratton’s inner narrations through earnest lyrics.

Despite the muffled volume at which Will Stratton sings, his sincerity bleeds through as loud as thunder in a dry desert. The first vulnerable words uttered from Stratton set the tone perfectly for the rest of the album: Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong, baby/ I’ll do all that I can/ And if it’s about where we’re headed/ maybe, you have the wrong man/ Cause I can see for miles when the sun is up/ but it’s midnight and I can’t see at all. What The Night Said does not try to hide its folk soiled roots and Stratton embraces the accompaniment of beautifully telling instruments such as the banjo, violin, cello and slide guitar. For those of you thinking that this album sounds like it could belong to Sufjan Stevens might be happy to know that he actually took part in this album and lent his oboe playing skills to Will. What The Night Said definitely has a leveled pace, there are not too many ups and downs. However, Stratton seems to be rather conscious about the type of music he is playing and the ears that are listening because the songs end before they become redundant and dragged out. Stand Out Tracks: Katydid, I’d Hate To Leave You, Night Will Come

Will Stratton’s WebSite