Since 2018, West London up-and-comer, (Will) Westerman has been teasing the gorgeous art-pop splendor of his forthcoming debut LP, Your Hero Is Not Dead. Now, anticipation behind the impending record has grown stronger with the release of his latest single titled, “Waiting on Design”. Regarding the inspiration behind the track, Westerman says:
“I was thinking about the absurdity of the self, and how nobody wants to look at themselves from the perspective of the people they hurt. What’s interesting to me about storytelling isn’t necessarily the stories themselves, but the mutual connection that comes from people’s understanding of what’s being conjured by that story.”
Arguably the most “pop” offering from his debut, thus far, “Waiting on Design” is lavishly awash with a sun-shining display of Westerman’s pacifying musical formula—atmospheric synths, flooding horns, down-to-earth guitar grooves—but made slightly more interesting with percolating keys woven throughout. Naturally, Westerman’s voice enhances the track’s shimmering atmosphere to the nth degree, in a way that recalls recent collaborator, Amen Dunes and even—dare I say it—Arthur Russell.
Westerman’s debut full-length record, Your Hero Is Not Dead is out June 5 via Partisan and Play It Again Sam. Pre-order the album here and make sure to give Westerman a follow on Instagram
