Will Overman - Stranger (2025) Hi-Res

Cracking album number two for Charlottesville singer-songwriter. Will Overman’s music has been described as “restless“, and one can see why in listening to this second release. He’s experienced a major relationship breakup, and the pandemic completely scuppered his original plans around this album. He should be really proud, though, of what he’s achieved with this eleven-strong collection. It’s really, really good.

Opener ‘Bowery’ is a catchy rocker where Overman opens his soul on the travails of being a musician and the challenges of touring, with success still being frustratingly elusive. He references playing the classic New York venue and his apprehension before the gig, not knowing how well it’ll go. An honest and assured take on a familiar problem for modern musicians.
‘Virginia For Lovers’ is a song about the town he grew up in and how it affected his romantic experiences – not necessarily in a positive way. It’s got a lovely, gentle feel with a strong melody propelling some wonderful guitar and steel pedal playing. ‘Names’ has an ethereal feel in a song about having affairs and not knowing one’s partner at all, a strong singalong chorus is augmented by some great mandolin and harmonica playing.

Acoustic strumming and gentle piano notes open ‘Read My Mind’ in a further song about challenged love, before we open out with drums and pedal steel, and we have a glorious song with a memorable chorus and joint duo vocals with fellow band member Brittany Bishop. It’s the sort of song when it finishes, you want to press repeat instantly. Fantastic. The title track is an out-and-out rocker, with Overman sitting very comfortably in this seat, with a suitably edgy feel to the song. Bishop again provides some very effective vocals.

‘Held Up By A Woman’ opens quietly, before progressing with some more edgy guitar work in a song about our fallibility in relationships. Overman has a really strong voice and never more effectively demonstrated than on this song. The frustration around the after effects of a relationship break-up is vividly brought to life in ‘As A Crow Flies’ with some sublime crunchy guitar work and another cracking tune. The album closes with some very personal soul-searching on ‘Landlocked Heart’, where Overman again shares his frustration with being a musician and the accompanying character flaws he has with this life. Another punchy tune with acoustic and electric guitar, melding with really effective percussion.

This is a superb album with a strong collection of songs. Overman can write a fantastic tune, and the musicianship throughout the eleven songs never falters. It’s really worth checking out.