A solid set of songs and performances in first for new label.
“Worthy” is Anderson East’s fourth studio album and his first for new label Rounder. It appears just under four years since its predecessor, “Maybe We Never Die” (2021), but continues very much in the vein of East’s core Southern rock/pop/R&B sound.
The album was co-produced by East and regular collaborator Dave Cobb. It was recorded at Cobb’s Studio in Savannah and then mixed by East in Nashville. East contributes guitars and lead vocals while Cobbs plays guitars. They are supported by East’s long-time bandmates Gregg Garner (bass) and Darren Dodd (drums). The ensemble is supplemented by Philip Towns on keyboards and a horn section comprising Ben Clark (trumpet) and Nate Heffron (saxophone). The process of recording “Worthy” contrasted with that of its predecessor, which saw East working alone in a digital environment.
‘I’d Do Anything’ leads off the album with soft acoustic and keyboards and East’s high register vocal but comes to life in a classic R&B chorus powered by the horns, East’s ramped-up vocal and the harmonies from April Rucker. ‘Anyway’ has a slightly more ramped-up verse but is also driven by the big chorus with a similar approach of repeated phrases to the first song.
Third track, ‘Say I Love You’, is challenging to listen to without hearing Jimmy Ruffin’s ‘What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted’, albeit with a more positive spin in the lyrics. Musically, Clark’s trumpet is a highlight. The title track opens with a funkier groove and retains that feel throughout the song as East stretches out his vocal grappling with the horns and guitars.
‘Never Meant To Hurt You’ returns to the soul ballad with Foy Vance and Bonnie Bishop providing gospel-tinged backing vocals. East’s vocal wrestles with poor choices and regrets. The song boasts another big chorus to close what we assume is the first side of the vinyl. The second side begins with ‘Before It Gets Better’, a co-write with Natalie Hemby (who adds the backing vocal), in something of a country soul vein with piano chords underlying East’s singing a song of hope – “maybe it gets worse before it gets better”.
‘Fool Myself’ arrives with a throbbing drum beat over which the bass and keyboards shimmer. Another co-write – this time with Trent Dabbs, who performs the backing vocals. The song has East expressing doubt and some confusion. Next up is ‘Reasons’, which has more of a modern R&B vibe to it. Garner’s bass hops around, and East’s vocal runs through the music, reaching for the pain in the lyric.
The penultimate track ‘Chasing You’ sets itself up as a big soul ballad building through the verse, adding horns into the chorus before dropping back into the verse. Lyrically, the song is one of the pursuit of eternal love through all time. The electric piano opens closer ‘Right Where You’re Meant To Be’. East’s vocal is breathy, supplemented by Rucker’s backup. It feels like the right way to close it out.
“Worthy” will likely appeal to those who already like East. It’s a solid set of songs and performances, but not a lot that sticks in the mind or the feet after it’s done.
