Proof That Great Records Don’t Always Need To Be Polished To Death
Song of the Day: “Horizon” by William Crighton
Australian alt-rock, blues, folk, country singer-songwriter William Crighton returns with Colonial Drift. This sprawling collection of songs shifts away from his earlier, more focused studio efforts, seeming to be a deliberate attempt to broaden his sonic footprint. Defined to a large degree by its restlessness, it marks a clear evolution from the earnest, narrative-driven folk of his past catalog into something far more eclectic, suggesting that Crighton is currently more interested in testing the limits of his songwriting than maintaining a singular, cohesive sound.
The album leans into a dense aesthetic that contrasts with the more contemplative moods of his prior releases. Where he once utilized a focused lens to explore the weight of the Australian landscape, Colonial Drift experiments with textures that are intentionally unconventional. This expansion is ambitious, and creates an interesting uncertainty about the trajectory of his career, leaving listeners to wonder if he is leaning toward further avant-garde experimentation or if this is merely a temporary detour. It is a complex addition to his discography that suggests an artist still in the process of defining his next chapter.
Yet, amidst the sprawling energy, “Horizon” stands out as the most enjoyable track on the album. It is the moment where the project stops trying so hard to be complex and simply settles into being a great piece of music. The song breathes in a way the rest of the record refuses to; the melody feels earned rather than calculated, and the arrangement is blissfully free of the unnecessary sonic clutter that crowds the surrounding tracks. It captures the expansive longing that Crighton has always been capable of, but here it lands with a precision that makes the rest of the album seem like it’s still trying to organize its own ideas.
The Song
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/horizon/1853445375
The Album
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/colonial-drift/1853445221
The Band
https://store.williamcrightonmusic.com.au/
Be sure to check out the Audio Toxicity 2026 Bad Music Detox Protocol (AKA a playlist of songs covered so far…)