Stirring in its array of heartfelt rock and introspective folk, Head Games is the delightful new album from Ryan Shephard, an artist originally from Cincinnati, OH and now based in Chicago, IL. Out on August 22nd, Head Games excels across its nine tracks; each one tells a different story from a specific period in Shephard’s life. The release is a showcase in riveting original songwriting from Shephard, who has also drawn acclaim in performing with dozens of other original and cover acts.
Head Games is a fantastic outpouring of heart-on-sleeve, relatable emotion from Shephard, who complements his own songwriting by playing every instrument on the album. Opening track “Atom Bomb” embraces a dark rock realm, building with palpable momentum as steady rhythms and brooding guitar layers intertwine with delectably foreboding intrigue. “Like an atom bomb,” Shephard sings into a haunting elongation, punctuated by “another nuclear winter, knowing I won’t miss ya” depictions of a personal reckoning.
“So Cold in December” continues in apt form, furthering the bleak winter setting within pulsing bass and sporadic electronic flourishes — and into a twangy rock radiance; it’s a fantastic example of Shephard’s ability to traverse with dynamic tonal seamlessness, here from bass-y spaciousness into breezy rock/pop cohesion. The smooth, soulful rock stylings of “Flow” also enamors in its balance of bluesy guitar understatements and Arctic Monkeys-esque vocal ascents. The subsequent “Preachin’ To The Choir” channels a vintage rockabilly charm, centering around a suave title-referencing hook.
An especially strong one-two punch arises in album singles “Love For This Place” and “Slide.” The former consumes in its folk-ready conveyances of a personal journey, wherein one finds themselves in an unfamiliar setting — and eventually embracing that chance to restart. Electric guitars burst forward as the vocals radiate with evident passion, admitting to having “love for this place” and planning to “stick around for awhile” as tender guitar twangs emerge. Meanwhile, “Slide” finds Shephard declaring “I ain’t easy to please these days” as frolicking guitar jangles complement accounts of “a storm coming through” — and an ensuing drive to face it, instead of shying away. It makes for another success, on an album full of them.
From the rousing rock admissions within “Atom Bomb” to the album’s serene folk-geared title track, Head Games is a wholly immersive success from Ryan Shephard.
