It’s been years in the making for independent country fans, but the day is finally here. Charles Wesley Godwin is back with his first major label album.
It’s no secret that Godwin is one of the fastest rising stars in the entire genre. Between signing a record deal with Big Loud back in March and touring with Zach Bryan for the better part of two years, Godwin’s steady rise in the genre has been a fun one to watch. Many independent country fans have been patiently waiting for the Temporary Town singer to reach the heights of fellow indie giants, Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson.
With the release of Family Ties, Godwin’s moment to shine is finally here.
In the Instagram caption announcing the album’s release back in August, Godwin described the album as the “most enjoyable creative experience of my life.”
“Writing and recording Family Ties was the most enjoyable creative experience of my life. It’s the rawest, most personal music I’ve ever made. I hope this handful of songs tides you over well enough so that we can let as much of the world know about this album as possible before its release day. I’m so proud of this album and cannot wait to share it with you! Thank y’all for the support.”
It clearly shows on the album, resulting in the Cranes of Potter singer’s most dynamic album to date. He pulls out all the stops on the record. From the romping Cue Country Roads to the tender Dance in Rain to the passionate Soul Like Mine (a Union Sound Treaty cut for the Godwin super fans out there), Godwin packs this record top-to-bottom with a wide variety of different subject matter and sounds.
Ultimately, Family Ties is a record dedicated to Godwin’s family and his upbringing. He expressed how this album is a heartfelt message.
“I had to get back to the basics. I decided I was going to write about my life and my family. It’s where my heart was guiding me: to be super personal and dig right into the weeds of my life.”
In some ways, Family Ties very much feels like Godwin’s own American Heartbreak. The parallels are pretty striking: a large runtime, the first major-label outing and ultimately a wholly impressive piece of art. It also helps that it’s one of the best records I’ve heard all year.
Listen to Family Ties, All Again,Skyline Blues and Another Leaf, here: