Review JARED JAMES NICHOLS “Louder Than Fate”

I first listened closely to Jared James Nichols‘s music back in 2018. He was the special guest on the L.A. Guns tour, which brought them to Leiden in The Netherlands. Back then, it was already impressive what the singer/guitarist brought to the stage, and the audience’s enthusiastic reaction spoke volumes.

Eight years later, Nichols is launching his next studio album, “Louder Than Fate.” I don’t know how loud fate is, but I do know this album contains music that needs to be played loud. The opener, “Let’s Go,” is a perfect example. It’s the ideal way to start an album, and the thunderous rock enthusiasm embedded in “Let’s Go” leaves listeners eager for more.

“Louder Than Fate” features a great fusion of hard rock and blues. The second track, “Ghost,” brings this blend to life perfectly. It’s a blues-soaked rock song that slowly creeps into your mind. Combined with a Southern edge, as heard in “Way Back,” the album delivers a thrilling, versatile musical experience that follows Nichols’s vision.

Each song has its own identity under the album’s musical framework. For example, there is the pulsating “Bending or Breaking,” which leads to a blistering chorus with a great hook. The calmer “Killing Time” follows. It’s the soulful, introspective moment of the album, conveying a lot of emotion.

The energizing highlight of the album is the iron-pumping “Dust n’ Bones,” and the same goes for the bluesy “Looks Like That Felt Good.” “Runnin’ Hot” is a groovy peak, driven by a thumping bass. This song is a real rock anthem, and the powerful finale, “Pretend,” ends this vibrant hard rock album.

“Louder Than Fate” is a remarkable album that brings passionate hard rock with a stronger blues vibe into your home. Nichols is a gifted songwriter, and that talent is evident in each of these ten blistering songs. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a summer of rock and cold beer.