Over the past few years, S J Denney has quietly established himself as one of the UK’s most thoughtful and versatile songwriters, and with his latest release ‘Weather the Storm’, he takes a bold, electrified step into new territory.
Drawing from the raw, unfiltered energy of early ’90s alt-rock, ‘Weather the Storm’ hits like a sudden thunderclap. From the first pounding drumbeat to the dense wall of guitars, it’s clear Denney has captured the volatile spirit of a golden era while stamping it firmly with his own identity. There’s a rough-hewn beauty here with crashing rhythms, snarling riffs, and vocals that cut through like a siren, all pulsing with the restless drive of an artist pushing his own boundaries.
You can feel the echoes of alt-rock giants in the DNA of this track, but what makes ‘Weather the Storm’ so compelling is how personal it sounds. The addition of unexpected flourishes, such as a harpsichord drifting through the chaos, speaks to Denney’s ability to blend different eras and textures into something wholly his own.
While much of the instrumentation is handled by Denney himself, the song feels anything but solitary. There’s a camaraderie in its spirit; a cry for anyone who’s ever had to stand their ground against the turbulence of life.
Polished with a sharp mix by Mat Leppanen and a mastering touch from Nigel Palmer, ‘Weather the Storm’ manages to feel both massive and inviting, a difficult trick that Denney pulls off with ease. It’s a thrilling reminder that true artistry lies not in playing it safe, but in daring to veer into the tempest and find new ground on the other side.
As he continues to evolve and experiment, S J Denney proves once again he’s an artist who refuses to stand still, and ‘Weather the Storm’ is a powerful, electrifying testament to that journey.
