Jovin Webb - Drifter

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2024
Time:43:48 
Size:101,4 MB 
Label:Blind Pig Records 
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Bottom Of A Bottle - 3:46
 2. Save Me - 4:38
 3. I'm A Drifter - 3:54
 4. Drunk On Your Love - 3:42
 5. Wig On Wrong - 2:22
 6. Livin' Reckless - 3:14
 7. Blues For A Reason - 3:25
 8. Mine Someday - 4:47
 9. Hand On The Bible - 4:00
10. Bad Deeds - 3:37
11. It's The Hawk - 3:07
12. Born Under A Bad Sign - 3:10

Four years after bursting onto the national stage with his memorable American Idol audition, Jovin Webb is reminding listeners of the qualities that make him such a captivating performer with Drifter, his debut album due out Oct. 18 via Blind Pig Records. The 12-track project shows the Baton Rouge, La.-based Webb embracing classic blues traditions as he sprinkles hints of personal experiences into his songwriting, with elements of the Southern Black Baptist church music that first inspired him as a kid also woven throughout.
Back in 2020, Webb advanced to the Top 10 during American Idol’s 18th season following an initial audition that earned him a standing ovation from that year’s judges. He was praised for his authenticity and the quality of his voice (which judge Lionel Richie described at the time as “what barbecue sauce sounds like”), both essential elements that are present on Drifter.
The gravelly sound and wide range of Webb’s vocals demand listeners’ attention, as on “Blues for a Reason” and “Save Me.” The rough edge to Webb’s voice on both personal songs adds weight to lyrics about heartbreak, financial uncertainty, identity and the determination to keep pursuing a dream. As Webb sings in “Blues for a Reason,” “The world’s on my back, trying to make an honest living / I’ve got music in my blood, and my heart has taken a beating / But I got my own story to tell, see I sing the blues for a reason.” That same rough vocal quality also brings a vulnerability to “Drunk on Your Love” as Webb sings of being enthralled by a deep love, and to “Mine Someday,” a song about yearning and hope that spotlights Webb’s voice as delicate organ embellishments build out the sound around him.
While Drifter includes some quieter moments, it shines most on songs that embrace classic blues themes, as “I’m a Drifter,” “Bottom of a Bottle” and “Bad Deeds” do. The song that inspired the album title features a guttural chugging rhythm as Webb sings of the pros and cons of a nomadic lifestyle, while the slow and steady “Bottom of a Bottle” spotlights Webb’s skills as a harmonica player as he wails along between lyrics about taking shots for “trouble” and “pain.”
Meanwhile, “Bad Deeds,” which also incorporates some stellar harmonica moments, explores the difficulties of a relationship gone sour, with Webb at one point singing the haunting line, “I’d rather visit your grave than to have you visit mine.” Webb similarly embraces traditional blues with his take on Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” the only cover on the album, and goes all in on late 1950s-style rock ‘n’ roll with “Wig on Wrong,” a speedy Little Richard-esque song that’s all fun.
Webb’s gospel influences are present throughout the album, but are perhaps most prominent on “Livin’ Reckless.” The song shows Webb softening his vocals as his lyrics beg to find a direction in life, all as a glorious organ performance rises and falls in the background. While Webb’s voice is the clear standout on Drifter, the keys performances included throughout the album—as on “Livin’ Reckless”—and Webb’s harmonica playing kick the album into another gear.
From start to finish, Drifter emerges as a remarkable album from an artist who has already paid his dues and is ready to share his music with a global audience. It’s a must-listen for anyone who loves the genre as much as Webb clearly does.

Drifter