It may not seem possible that the origin of the universe stems from a reservation in Manitoba, Canada, but for this story, it does. I’ve always felt the world beyond the reservation. Something cosmic and universal called to me. In the beginning, music was quiet and sombre, a form of grief counseling there to serve people in need. But this new album is of great speed, flash and volume.”

The distance traveled on William Prince’s new album, Further From the Country, is generational, aspirational and metaphysical. Expansive and declarative, Further From the Country is the work of an artist who meets the challenge of putting incisive and enduring words to this age of uncertainty. William Prince’s perspective - a songwriter who carries great legacies of family and songcraft forward - is singular and significant. Further From the Country, Prince’s fifth LP, is an extraordinary work of observation, reflection and ambition, a work that will leave its mark on listeners for its humanity and its potency. 

Like a rocket accelerating through the atmosphere, title track “Further From the Country” charges at the speed of light, reaching exhilarating weightlessness as it breaks through gravity’s pull. From velocity to tranquility and back again, the song’s epic odyssey introduces the sonic and thematic scope of this new project. A panoramic album opener, “Further From the Country” sets in motion a collection of songs that show an artist at full momentum, ready to see the moon and stars.

Travel - via cosmos and interstate - is a major throughline on Further From the Country, where landscapes change as miles accumulate. The rubber hits the road with “On Rolls the Wheel,” propelled by sublimely fuzzed guitar and a rugged, highway-ready groove. Wheels turn, the yellow line stretches ahead and behind, and the chorus bends like the curve of the road. 

Prince’s songs have always provided great solace in times of distress. On this new album, he offers songs that explore the workings of time on grief - softening its edges, soothing its hurt - in songs from his own healing path. “For the First Time,” which also begins in the driver’s seat, is an instant William Prince classic. Over piano and strings, Prince’s voice is as familiar and comforting as a family photo album. “We grow without the people we’ve lost - not because we love them less, but because we get better at living, and loving ourselves more,” says Prince. 

Prince’s father is present throughout the album, in song and as the impetus to seek the world beyond his hometown. As a companion piece to “For the First Time,” “The Charmer” is a taking-stock song about his life and loss. In each their own way, these pieces contend with the man and the legacy Prince carries. The strength to share this side of his grief is sourced in a newfound mindset, made possible through the creation of his previous album, Stand in the Joy, a work of self-acceptance and commitment to gratitude. These songs could only be written after that pledge. 

Prince’s upbringing and experiences in Peguis First Nation shape his unique and acute perspective on the world. The new album resurfaces memories of youth, not all of them happy, as a framework for processing the heartaches, injustices and overwhelming sorrows of today. In “Damn” and “All the Same,” Prince writes with striking clarity and sensitivity, drawing parallels from small town to big city hardships. As social commentaries, these songs hit hard with their deep humanity and universalism. 

It is this upbringing, humble and remote, that drives the sense of great ambition that permeates this collection. As Prince continues to write songs that can stand the test of time, this album is an evolution and expansion of his lane. Two standout examples of Prince’s creative stretch include “Thousand Miles of Chain,” a menacing oil-slicked saga that tracks a bad man and his worse choices across the Old West and beyond. “Flowers on the Dash,” as light as the other is dark, shows Prince’s mastery of simplicity as a classic country kiss-off. Both songs showcase new dimensions of Prince’s storytelling acumen and sonic palette. 

Album closing track “More of the Same,” connects directly to his previous work as an intentional full circle moment, a reminder to pursue the good things in life with passion and patience. “My upbringing taught me to hide my light so it never shines in the eyes of others,” says Prince. “But I’ve seen what my light can materialize when I let it shine without shame or fear. I’ve stood in joy and let it carry me to a place where I feel pride and purpose in my walk. It’s time to leave these reservations in the past.” 

The album’s sound is the work of Prince’s hometown peers and heroes, a world-class lineup that starts with producer and labelmate Liam Duncan (aka Boy Golden). Duncan, a burgeoning studio whiz who first worked with Prince on his Spotify Singles Session in 2023, draws an energy and dynamism from Prince that enlivens every standout vocal performance. With his evident knack for creating distinct sonic scenes, whether it’s the cosmic breadth of “Further From the Country” or the passenger seat intimacy of “For the First Time,” Duncan’s trusted partnership is felt throughout. 

As for the band, Prince combined his longtime players with Duncan’s “Church of Better Daze” compatriots, with contributions by Alyshia Grace (backing vocals), John Baron (bass), Cody Iwasiuk (drums), Austin Parachoniak (guitar), Stephen Arundell (guitar), Keiran Placatka (keys), Ben Plotnick (viola/fiddle), Trent Freeman (violin), Caleb Melo (pedal steel) and Kristopher Ulrich (baritone guitar). Duncan also appears throughout with additional appearances on piano, drums, vocals and more. 

The two-time JUNO Award winning artist continues to build an exceptional body of acclaimed work, with recent accolades including the John Prine Songwriter Fellowship and Americana Honors & Awards nomination. From Newport Folk Festival to sold out shows at prestigious theatres including Massey Hall, from NPR’s Tiny Desk to tours with The War and Treaty, Yola and more, William Prince has made significant appearances on historic stages. Celebrated by peers, critics and fans, William Prince’s songs resonate on deep emotional levels.

Now, with Further From the Country, Prince expands his sound and sharpens his focus for a collection of songs that share personal and universal truths alike. A commanding and accomplished album, Further From the Country signals an artist who has impelled his craft to formidable new heights. 

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