A.A. Williams – Solstice

   A.A. Williams – Solstice
 Reigning Phoenix Music
Release date: 05/06/26
Review by Rory Bentley
8/10

I’ve been a massive fan of singer, multi-instrumentalist, and generational sadgirl AA Williams since her debut EP in 2020. She has a way of making melancholic Post-Rock palatable and inviting, bending it around more conventional, stripped-down emotional songs before unleashing it for gigantic crescendos that feel like the dam is bursting and all your pent-up feelings are cathartically exploding out of you.

On album number three, “Solstice,”, Williams continues to weave her downbeat magic, but there’s a slightly different vibe to this release. There’s a bit more spite and bitterness in the lyrics, and Williams’ vocals sit much higher in the mix than on previous releases. This gives everything a bit more of a personal and cathartic vibe, like she’s sad about things but also royally fucked off and ready to do something about it rather than wallow in the misery- and I dig it!

When ‘Poison’ gets us started, things are immediately riffier and almost radio-friendly- in a good way. The production is less drenched in reverb, Williams voice is stripped back to its pristine majesty, and there is a clear verse-chorus format. The bridge mantra of “with you I am born again” is a surprise earworm as well, showing that Alex knows her way around a hook when she needs to.

‘Wolves’ is a little more gloomy and ghostly, dialling back the distortion for atmosphere, but those powerful vocals still drive the song forward with a sense of urgency. The more Alt-Rock approach is further felt here as the verse and chorus alternate between eerily quiet and roaringly loud. Meanwhile, that ‘pissed off’ vibe I mentioned earlier is perfectly exemplified in ‘Little by Little’ (not an Oasis cover) which sees bitter, spiteful lyrics being crooned over Triphop beats before exploding halfway through with a wall of guitars that feel like the final straw in the torrid relationship the song depicts.

‘Hold it Together’ is a real highlight, and a sentiment far easier said than done when the song reaches its crescendo. The swirling waves of layered guitars and stirring strings when the song finally lets rip are a blissful moment of pure magic. Sure, this is familiar fare for Williams, but this is kind of her thing- you don’t moan when Dio shouts ‘look out!’ for the millionth time, do you? Cos it’s his things, and it’s why you turn up, fam!

If I’m being super picky, things do get a little samey towards the back half of the album, with some tracks struggling to distinguish themselves from each other, but even then, there’s the total majesty of the likes of ‘The Gentle Harm’ and ‘It Won’t Rain Forever’ (certainly feels that way) to delight and depress in equal measure.

As we move towards the summer solstice, the “Solstice” of the album in question appears diametrically opposed to bright days and blooming nature, but when the song craft and soundscapes are of such exquisite quality, there’s nothing wrong with a few rainy days. Misery never has an off-season!

TRACKLISTING: 

1. Poison
2. Wolves
3. Little By Little
4. Hold It Together
5. Outlines
6. I’ve Seen Enough
7. The Veil
8. Just A Shadow
9. It Won’t Rain Forever 
10. Breathe
11. The Gentle Harm

LINKS

https://www.aawilliamsmusic.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/share/18sDa7qydu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/aawilliamsmusic?igsh=ZXh5Nm1nMW00YWd2
https://aawilliams.bandcamp.com/