Vienna singer-songwriter and pianist Phil Woloch is back with the gorgeous “Home”, a track that embodies the ache and soothing of finding oneself again, all surrounded by sparkly, retro-pop soundscapes and heartfelt lyrics. After the warm reception he got for his debut single, “Mind at Ease,” early this year, Woloch further defines his sound with a song that plays as both a natural extension and a discovery of something new.
“Home” conjures a striking tenor, the introduction of an open road movie at twilight, headlights fanning into the distance. The song’s driving bass line and lush 1970s-couched arrangement conjure the golden age of songcraft, tipping a hat to Billy Joel and Elton John, but it doesn’t get stuck in the past. Instead, Woloch marries that timeless spirit to shiny modern production, and the result feels vintage yet vital.
“Home” is a combination of confession and proclamation. It unfurls with a gentle and honest lack of pretension that flips into an optimistic, big-chorus anthem about finding your way back to yourself when the world feels unsteady. It’s music for dark, late-night drives, music to listen to alone and rethink everything you’ve ever known, music that seemed more likely than most, under lucky stars, would transport itself up onto the charts. Woloch’s soulful singing and tasteful piano phrasing ground the song in feeling, while the synth-based arrangement bursts forth with promise. The result is a track that’s like a conversation between the eras between where we’ve been and where we’re going.
On “Home,” Phil Woloch not only follows up on his debut, but he gets there. It’s a song of openness and strength, one that proves the journey inward is often the most powerful of them all.