Richard Walters releases sprawling, nostalgic single "July Bones"

26 November 2015, 09:45 | Written by Grant Rindner

(Tracks)

(Richard Walters)

Richard Walters' "July Bones" was inspired by American author T.C Boyle's novel Drop City, and the single is certainly powerful and spiritual enough to capture the counterculture collective's wayward spirit.

Walters also fronts the band Liu Bei and has put out a handful of impressive solo projects but "July Bones" is one of his most haunting, powerful releases to date. Over soft guitar and sweeping, elegiac piano Walters gives us a thorough glimpse into his mind.

"Is it right, is it right, is it right that we can't change? / Do we make, do we make, do we make the same mistakes?" he wonders.

Still, there is a subtle, uplifting quality to "July Bones". Muted drums give the track a bit of backbone, and Walters' delicate voice is distractingly pretty. This isn't a Mark Kozelek tale of unrepentant doom and gloom.

There are shades of James Bay here but Walters is a more mature, comfortable songwriter. He doesn't need to completely bare his soul as a vocalist, because the instrumental he's crafted is emotive enough.

If the rest of A.M., his upcoming album due out next March, is this stunning then Walters could see himself soar to unprecedented heights.