The latest single from Westingway, titled “Grace,” is a deeply resonant and emotionally honest entry in Jon Wheeler’s growing Americana and Alternative Country project. As the fourth release under the Westingway name, “Grace” represents both a personal and artistic evolution for Wheeler, capturing the ache of longing with a stripped-back authenticity that lingers long after the final chord.
At its core, “Grace” is a song about doing whatever it takes to get back to someone—or something—you’ve loved and lost. It’s the kind of theme that’s universally felt, and Wheeler doesn’t dress it up with unnecessary gloss or forced sentimentality. Instead, he leans into the rawness of the emotion, creating a song that feels like a late-night confession on a long drive home.
Recorded and mixed at Clarksville Studios in Southampton, the track carries the unmistakable texture of a D.I.Y. project—intimate, real, and unpolished in the best possible way. Wheeler and longtime collaborator Jeff Clark (a seasoned local percussionist and bandmate from their R.E.M. tribute group REMbrandt) approach the recording process with a sense of play and curiosity. The result is a sound that feels both relaxed and deliberate, capturing lightning in a bottle without overthinking it.
What’s most impressive about “Grace” is how it balances the best elements of Westingway’s earlier singles. From the rootsy grit of “Fox In The Hen House,” to the rock-forward energy of “I Got Mine,” and the melodic harmonies found in “Horses,” “Grace” ties it all together. It sounds like a culmination—a moment where all the past efforts start to align into a clear, confident voice.
Wheeler’s influences are worn proudly, but never in a way that feels imitative. If you’re a fan of artists like Wilco, Jason Isbell, or Neil Young, you’ll find familiar threads here. There’s a certain understated storytelling in “Grace” that recalls Americana’s finest moments—rooted in the dirt, but reaching toward something hopeful. The lyrics may come from a place of personal searching, but they also serve as a mirror for the listener, reflecting our own journeys back to what we’ve lost or hope to reclaim.
The mastering, done by Steve Twinley, adds a final polish without losing the homespun feel. It’s clear that every step of this track’s creation has been driven by passion, friendship, and a desire to grow. Wheeler himself admits he’s still learning the recording process as he goes, but that’s part of what makes “Grace” so special—it’s not the product of perfection, but of honest progress.
As a self-taught musician, Wheeler’s journey is as compelling as the music itself. A multi-instrumentalist and dedicated songwriter, his focus now is on showcasing the breadth of his writing while continuing to evolve technically. “Grace” is proof that he’s doing exactly that. The song doesn’t just work on a musical level—it feels like a marker of growth, a signpost pointing to the kind of artist Westingway is becoming.
“Grace” stands out as a meaningful and mature moment in Westingway’s catalog. It’s both a love song and a lament, a personal reflection and a universal anthem. The kind of song that doesn’t demand your attention, but earns it with quiet strength and emotional honesty. As Westingway continues to explore and refine its sound, “Grace” will likely be seen as a turning point—where it all started to click.
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