John Witherspoon - “You’re Alright”
Photo by Rob Mulder
John Witherspoon, from Liverpool, UK, offers us hope in the face of cynicism with the slow burning indie rock anthem, “You’re Alright.”
“You’re Alright” is one of those tracks that marches forward with a lively sense of persistent purpose– much like the strutting, hypnotic “Black and White Town” by the Doves but this composition is more sun drenched, sensitive and reflective. The groove from the bass and drums don’t stomp with a desire to rattle the foundations. “You’re Alright” instead glides, it knows the direction it’s going and we are completely happy to let it push us along.
From the very first note we are surrounded in a vintage sense of uplifting warmth that only a British songwriter can execute with precision. Every guitar element that clothes the beat feels like later afternoon sunshine. Fuzzy at the edges, sublimely golden and deliciously immersive.
The vocal of John Witherspoon really cements the timeless vibe that oozes from the arrangement. It is melodic, gentle and sincere as it strikes the perfect balance between conversational tones and heartfelt truths. Rich in seamless, tight harmonies, the performance definitely has shades of The Everly Brothers. “You’re Alright” is brimming full of confident, vintage charm. The song is taken from John Witherspoon’s third album One of Them, slated for release October 31st.
On the LP, Witherspoon adds: “This album is about disconnection in a seemingly connected world. Most of my writing is autobiographical, and I think One of Them offers a pretty even split of my light and dark sides, my positive and negative outlooks, my faith in humanity and my deeply cynical view of it. I don’t set out with an overarching theme or concept for an album.... but when I get about eight or nine songs into the process I can look over my shoulder and themes will emerge. In at least half of the songs, I touch on phone addiction, and what I think it’s doing to our attention and relationships.”