Folk artist Luke James Williams is starting a new chapter. The UK-native released his second studio album Limes Hotel on Friday, April 17th, and the album defines itself as immersive and poetic all the way through.
The record opens with “Saints in the Trees," eerie and ethereal, the track makes shadows and statues come to life, and brings Williams’ sound alive along with them. The song starts this new album with a clear vision of whimsical and otherworldly sound. Through haunting acoustics and harmonies, Williams continues to achieve this vision in every track. “Seeds” expands on this image to place the listener in the ground: a part of the garden in a life after death. Every lyric is perfectly placed and every strum of the guitar has a heart behind it that you can’t teach. The track is beautiful; full stop, and without a doubt, a defining track of Williams’ career.
The singer’s third track, “Strange Things We Are,” takes on a more lively melody, prominent drums, and darker lyrics to talk about the internal narratives we have about ourselves. This track contains some of Williams’ best lyrical moments of the album, from universal messages like “there was a time when you wouldn’t believe you are where you are now.” to unique heavy-hitting lines like “you made yourself sick with the fiction of the mind.” Williams follows this up with “Ends,” a calm and true folk track about the acceptance of time passing and life continuing on, no matter how.
“Flicker of Light” is true to its name: refreshingly lighthearted, the track reminds us “don’t be anyone else/ don’t be afraid of yourself” in Williams’ signature sentimental melodic flow. Simple and sweet, the track divides longer, more melancholy tracks with its optimistic humility. “Knocking for Reasons” follows, changing everything you thought you knew about Williams’ limits as an artist. An expansion of all of the sounds thus far, “Knocking for Reasons” is philosophical and musically complex, creating a folk Sgt. Pepper’s brass-driven groove so pleasantly unexpected.
The album’s progression gets even deeper with “Village Green.” The atmospheric ballad covers loss, grief, and love that transcends life over its four minutes. The track’s recurring line evokes a somber stillness and further proves Williams’ insane lyrical talents: “It’s a sight no mother should see/ her child lifeless amongst the leaves.” These existential thoughts continue through “Ready,” a look-forward, contemplating track about the temporary nature of being alive alongside one’s family: “Ready/ I’m not sure I’ll ever be/ For you to leave.” These tracks prove Williams’ merit as a songwriter and storyteller, continuously digging deeper into his talents and the hearts of his listeners.
“Milk & Medicine” uses increasingly fantastical stories to express all-too-real sentiments of giving your attention and not believing everything you hear. Williams’ lyrics “It won’t be long/ Before we’re overflowing with all our senses gone” continue to blow me away with their causal profundity: the mark of a true folk artist. His penultimate track, “Full Moon,” offers one last change of pace. Energetic and fantastical, the track experiments with echoes of all-consuming background vocals, leaving listeners never knowing what to expect out of this expansive album.
Williams ends the record with “Hollows and Branches.” This final track acts as a culmination of all of the album's imagery and themes, tying together all of Williams’ questions, doubts, and emotions with the branches on trees. Meditative and intensely intentional, Luke James Williams gave his all to every second of this album. Each track takes an idea and pushes it to its limit, creating stories and emotions satisfyingly challenging for both Williams’ and the listener in equal parts.
The album’s release also kicks off Williams’ UK tour, which continues throughout this summer. Limes Hotel is available to stream everywhere now.
Listen to Limes Hotel here:
