Justin Wells

With Justin Wells’ latest album, 𝘊𝘺𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, the Kentucky singer-songwriter once again stokes the fiery depths of his pure intent, the core elements of the record revolving around things that matter most in life — steadfast family, genuine friends, and creative fulfillment. Captured by Grammy-nominated producer Duane Lundy at his legendary studio in Lexington, Kentucky, 𝘊𝘺𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 came about as an ode to Wells’ wife, Andrea, with whom he first crossed paths with when they were both teenagers. “Cynthiana is the small central Kentucky town where we met,” Wells says. “There’s little pieces of her in all of these songs.” The 10-song LP harnesses the raw power and lyrical honesty that’s made Wells a stoic figure in the rich, vibrant tapestry of music bubbling up over the last decade or so from The Bluegrass State — with Wells’ tone and talent quickly spilling out to the rest of the country. “Cranking up the amps and gliding down the fretboard of his Fender Telecaster, singer-songwriter Justin Wells — in a similar tone to the late, great George Jones — rumbled across the Outpost stage, the sweat of a humid mid-summer afternoon dripping from his forehead,” Rolling Stone wrote of his recent AVLFest appearance. It doesn’t matter to Wells the portals by which he’s able to reach the listener. What counts is this internal mission to connect with whoever’s in the room — folks in search of compassion and something real in a sometimes lonely and confusing world.