A Review of Will Foulke’s Emotive New Album ‘Charleston Blues’

Will Foulke’s Charleston Blues plays like a long, heartfelt letter to the roots of American music — not a nostalgic imitation, but a vivid, living conversation with its ancestors. Across its wide-ranging tracklist, Foulke channels blues, rock, and pop into a cohesive narrative of craft, soul, and reverence.

Performing every instrument and vocal line himself, Foulke builds a world that feels handcrafted — raw yet refined. The opening track shimmers with psychedelic texture, while later numbers slide effortlessly into classic, harmony-rich songwriting reminiscent of Jeff Lynne and Brian Wilson. Yet, despite the stylistic diversity, there’s a singular thread of emotional clarity binding it all together: the warmth of the human touch.

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The album explores love, loss, and belonging through imagery rooted in the blues tradition, yet the delivery feels contemporary. His voice carries that subtle rasp of lived-in honesty, while the arrangements breathe with organic fluidity. Guitars ring clean but weathered, keys sparkle with vintage charm, and the rhythm section moves with the patience of someone who truly listens to the music they’re making.

Mixed by Elliott Elsey and mastered by Vlado Meller, the production captures every nuance without stripping the record of its intimacy. Each track feels like it’s been allowed to exhale — space and texture are prioritised over gloss.

Foulke’s references — from Robert Johnson to George Harrison — are apparent, but Charleston Bluestranscends homage. It’s both a tribute and a reinvention, bridging eras with sincerity and skill. This is an album made not to impress but to connect, the kind of record that finds you at just the right time and reminds you why music still matters.