William Alexander already has three albums up on streaming services, from back in 2018, but his latest, The Singing Stockman, sounds like an artist truly coming of age. The 27 year old is a working stockman in the Central West region of NSW and he sings with real conviction and classic country authority. 

Alexander is a fascinating blend of Marlon Williams, Willie Nelson, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett and Hank Williams. He possesses a genuine yodel in his impressive vocal bag (check out ‘Queensland Ranges’ and the opening lines of the album’s first track ‘All I Need Is You’) and with beautifully restrained backing from two of Melbourne’s busiest sidemen in Patrick Wilson and Tommy Brooks, he’s recorded a timeless sounding set of country songs. 

Aside from ‘that voice’, Alexander more than backs it up with equally compelling songwriting, vividly transporting the listener to dusty country backroads where cattle roam and the western sky feels bigger and time seems to move slower.

‘Castlereagh’ is a glorious detour from the campfire strums into more of a darker noir sound, while on ‘I Don’t Wish To Be Lonesome No More’ he adds a distinctly Australian gem to the timeless collection of ‘lonesome’ songs. If you like your country balladeers to sound classic, heartfelt and 100% authentic then this is an essential local release.