Though a relative unknown here in the states, singer/songwriter Marlon Williams is a star in his native New Zealand and his recently-adopted home of Australia. At the age of 17, he, some high school classmates, and their apparently-pretty-cool science teacher formed the band The Unfaithful Ways. In 2011, Williams formed a duo with acclaimed country artist Delaney Davidson, releasing three albums together. He's already been nominated for five New Zealand Music Awards, and an Australian ARIA Award (similar to an American Grammy), and he's only 25.
With his solo work, we can expect the accolades to keep coming. KEXP is excited to present a full-album stream of this young talent's debut full-length, out February 19th via Dead Oceans. Originally released in 2013 at home, the album debuted at #10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and was hailed as "one of the most impressive country records this year" by Tone Deaf. Williams himself has been hailed as "the impossible love child of Elvis, Roy Orbison and Townes Van Zandt," a comparison that resonates through his bluesy, country-style songs and vocal delivery. Listen below:
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