Will Knox has released his new album ‘English Silence’.
Recorded in London with producer Ian Grimble (Bear’s Den, Daughter, Axel Flovent), the album marks the singer’s fourth album release.
Speaking of the album, Will said: “I started writing English Silence during lockdown, having learned I was going to become a father for the first time. The time allowed me to confront a lot of issues from my past, and I was determined not to pass on any of my own issues to my child. I took online therapy sessions and had some difficult but beautiful conversations with friends & family. A lot of unsaid things were said. I realised how difficult I find it to communicate my feelings in the real world, perhaps explaining what has always drawn me to songwriting.”
To celebrate his album release, Will shared with us five tracks that influenced ‘English Science’.
Adrianne Lenker – ingydar
Mostly I just want to express my admiration for her album ‘Songs’, it reminds me so much of the old Nick Drake ‘Pink Moon’, early Elliott Smith, or Bruce Springsteen ‘Nebraska’ type records that I really love. This style really had an influence on the more stripped down songs on my album, such as ‘Christmas Song’, ‘Welcome To The World’, ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘Pillow Scream’.
Fink – This Is The Thing
I’ve been a fan of Fink’s since hearing ‘Perfect Darkness’. I love his lyrics, and the way he incorporates rhythm & pace to his songs. His guitar playing is exceptional. I reached out to him to see if we could write something together, and we cowrote ‘London From My Window Seat’. I think this track has a bit more of that edge & attitude that I love about Fin’s songs, and certainly that pace and largeness, with the fast fingerpicking and drum groove.
Néomí – I Could Never Leave
I’ve been working with Néomi for a few years, she has such an instinctive, beautiful taste in melody. I was a bit stuck for verse ideas on ‘Christmas Song’ and I asked néomí to help me unlock the song. She came out with some really wonderful ideas that stuck, and I’m very happy she also featured on the song. ‘I Could Never Leave’ is a song of hers I really love.
Daughter – Party
I remember listening to Daughter’s then new album ‘Stereo Mind Game’ on the way back from one of my first recording sessions. I was a little nervous about making a bigger sound for some of my songs, but as I started falling in love with this record of Daughter’s I started feeling more confident to push things a little further than I have on previous records. Perhaps you can hear some of that influence on tracks like ‘Twentysomething’.
Leonard Cohen – Avalanche
The combination of that fast fingerpicking, low vocal, dry vocal delivery.. the whole record of ‘Songs Of Love And Hate’ has been an influence of mine for years. I think you can hear it a bit on ‘Pillow Scream’, which for me is a very dark and vulnerable song.
Listen to Will Knox musical influences below:
Stream Will Knox ‘English Science’ via Spotify: