Ester Rose—Want

I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m not a huge country fan, and to a lesser degree, Americana. I often feel like many country songs share the same DNA and can blur together, one track into the next. That being said, every now and then, something catches me off guard. Maybe I’m just in the right mood, or maybe something genuinely special comes along and gives me a bit of a musical slap. That’s very much the case with Esther Rose and her fifth album, Want, which is smart, sexy, sassy, and oh so relatable.

The album opens with the title track, and right away it’s full of desire. Her voice has a distinctly country twang, but there's a sharpness to it, a teasing edge that hints at something more mischievous. Tailspin has a more traditional feel, yet the lyrics feel a touch more thoughtful and cleverly written.

And then there’s Had To, which caught me completely. It’s a kind of ode to alcohol, cheerful and upbeat on the surface, but with a definite shadow underneath. Is it a celebration or a cautionary tale? That’s up to the listener to decide. Then, just as you're absorbing that, along comes Ketamine, not a sentence I expected to write today. Again, the song bounces along with an upbeat energy, but there’s a thread of menace in the background, delivered by a thick, growling bass line that kicks in during the chorus.

That darker tone flows naturally into Rescue You. Music is often personal, and if Esther is drawing from her own life, she’s seen some things. Or perhaps she’s just an exceptional storyteller. Either way, it works.

Scars is another standout. It's a beautiful song with a more delicate structure, and the lyrics again hint at experience, the kind that leaves you marked in one way or another.

Then comes Messenger. There’s no ambiguity about the song’s title, it’s sung 24 times in just over two minutes. The song reminds me of the Van Morrison story, where he was required to record one last album to fulfill a contract, so he turned in 31 songs in one sitting with names like Ring Worm, Want a Danish, and Blow in Your Nose. Now, I haven’t actually listened to those tracks, but I can imagine the tone. I’m not saying Messenger is anywhere near that level. Musically, it’s polished, and the non-repetitive lyrics are quite sweet. But it still feels like a filler, something added to pad out the track list. Of course, I could be wrong. There may be a deeply personal backstory I’m unaware of. But on first listen, it feels light on substance.

Thankfully, we return from that detour with New Bad, which is, for me, one of the highlights of the album. The verses float along with Esther’s sweet, melodic vocals, but the chorus brings in a heavier, distorted sound that gives the track a real punch, especially toward the end. The Clown plays a similar trick. It opens gently, even innocently, but there’s a darker undercurrent running through it that really elevates the song.

Colour Wheel is stripped back and lovely, built around a simple piano line with just a light touch of guitar. The mix has a soft, hazy quality to it, like you’re hearing it on vinyl instead of streaming. It has the feel of a closing track, but that role is actually filled by Want Pt. 2.

Want Pt. 2 is lyrically sparse but more purposeful than Messenger. It starts out with intimate, almost bare vocals, then slowly grows as drums and guitar join in. At 5 minutes and 39 seconds, it’s the longest track on the album and a fitting way to close things out.

Esther Rose, for me, is a rare find. I read that she considered quitting after her last album, and I’m genuinely glad she didn’t. If she had, I might never have come across her music. I’ll definitely be watching for whatever she does next.