Wherever You Are by Brandon Tinkler–Album Review
Wherever You Are by Brandon Tinkler–Album Review
Indianapolis-based singer-songwriter Brandon Tinkler’s third album, Wherever You Are, is a mellow, deceptively deep collection, both musically and lyrically. Having dabbled in 60s British psychedelia on his last album, 2018’s Open Up Your Eyes, Tinkler has returned to a more earthy, rootsy sound, though subtle psychedelic textures still shimmer beneath the surface. With a plaintive voice that falls somewhere between Sean Lennon and Jeff Tweedy, Tinkler has carved out a sound uniquely his own, shaped by a wide range of influences. While the album can be reminiscent of such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Donovan, Wherever You Are is filled with songs that look inward while also gesturing towards broader social commentary.
The album opener, “We Were Young,” is a folk ballad that utilizes a celestial chorus to underscore the divine feeling of being young and in love. Love and relationships are a primary theme of the album, continuing into the second track, “Do You Love Me?”, which explores unrequited love. Serpentine electric guitar licks weave through the slow, rollicking foundation of the tune as Tinkler sings “’Cause you’re on my mind, but you don’t care/ Spending my time, baby you don’t care” before deducing that “I’ll have to be on my way”.
Diving into more topical songwriting, “Something’s Gotta Change” is a warning, cloaked in an almost cheery, upbeat arrangement, to those in power. “Mr. President, do what’s right, or we’ll all come knocking in the night/ And it won’t be to say hello, you know?/ With the utmost respect, we’ve come to take your rule and then…” Power to the people indeed.
The first single, “Just Let It Go,” is a dreamy tune about releasing the stress of everyday life and following your heart to find peace and fulfillment: “It could be so easy, if you’d only open the door.” “The Hour That He Shall Come” may sound religious in tone, and perhaps it is, but it is left open to interpretation. The “He” could very well represent Death. It’s the flip side of “Just Let it Go” in some ways, a lyrically and musically darker song that has the feel of a 19th-century ballad. But the theme of weathering life’s storms to achieve peace remains.
Tinkler showcases his versatility throughout the album: the lullaby-like “Back on the Ground”, the Celtic-tinged stomp and Led Zeppelin III-style breakdown of “Over & Out”, and the Delta blues of “Train Station Blues”. His guitar and harmonica work is consistently sharp, adding rich texture without ever overshadowing the songwriting. Tinkler is unafraid of mixing styles and genres into a flavorful stew of a record that feels both rooted in tradition and relevant to the now. Wherever his muse takes him next, it is sure to be compelling, as his lyrical and sonic palette continues to expand.
Wherever You Are will be released on vinyl, CD, and digitally Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.
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