Tim Qualls – ‘Feel (Stripped)’ [Album Review]

V13 is no stranger to the music of Tim Qualls, and having covered the original version of Feel, we were excited to dive into the newly released “stripped” version.

Having made waves with the 2023 release of his album, Feel, named the best album of 2023 by the Houston Chronicle, Qualls says he wanted to revisit the music.

“I wanted to pause for a moment, revisit the music, and find more meaning between the lyrics, the melodies, and the rhythm. It was about trying to find the notes in between the piano keys, those that are often overlooked.”

As a result, listeners are treated to a re-imagined version that allows the Houston alt-pop artist to transform his work into something even more vulnerable. Inspired by Gavin DeGraw’sChariot – Stripped, Qualls dives deeper into the emotions of the original tracks, while maintaining the soulfulness that made Feel originally resonate with listeners. Reworking the material with an attention to detail, Qualls doesn’t stray too far from his rootsy, soulful style. Instead, he amplifies the connection to life’s emotions that the original album was praised for through a raw and intimate soundscape.

Featuring fan-favourite tracks like the pop-influenced “Grave” and the power-synth ballad “History,” listeners get to hear a new take on some of their favourites. One of the more notable tracks to receive special attention on the new album is “Mine” – a love song from the perspective of his wife that offers a twist on the original song format. As a result of spontaneous, late-night recording sessions, the re-imagined versions are heavily dependent on live instrumentation. “For all 10 songs, we would follow that random night’s inspiration, letting the music guide us to where it wanted to go,” Qualls says. “It was fun not to overthink anything happening and just create…Letting the music take us, wherever it wanted to take us.”

Overall, Feel (Stripped) highlights Tim Qualls’ ability to explore nuanced sounds within a raw, live energy that invites listeners to experience his artistry in a new, unfiltered way.

Feel (Stripped) Track Listing:
1. “Stay”
2. “Forever”
3. “Feel”
4. “Family Ties”
5. “I Swear To God I Tried”
6. “History”
7. “This World”
8. “Grave”
9. “Safe”
10. “Mine”

Run Time: 40:09
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Record Label: Champion Music Group