Prince, William: Stand In The Joy LP

William Prince announces his new album, Stand in the Joy, will be out April 14, 2023 on Six Shooter Records. On his fourth album, William Prince makes a declaration of joy. Leading with gratitude, Prince offers his perspective on what it feels like, for him, to love and be loved wholeheartedly. To introduce the new album, and his current state of mind, Prince shares two new songs. On album opener “When You Miss Someone,” Prince describes the physical hallmarks of longing. You might not relate exactly to Prince’s example: “you can stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and wish you were in Winnipeg,” but you know the feeling. The twist, Prince’s realization, is that this is just a feeling, and it need not hold you back. Alongside also comes “Tanqueray,” a song that captures the head rush of new love, the kind that sets larger things – including the story of this album – in motion. “I want to be like Johnny Cash, an artist for the people,” says William. And the people drink Tanqueray. Dappled, grassy and lush, Stand in the Joy emanates warmth and light. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album was recorded in the Grammy-winner’s studio, Low Country South in Savannah, Georgia, which became the perfect backdrop for the decidedly Spring-like optimism that permeates the collection. Stand in the Joy is a graceful work shaped by Prince and Cobb, lead guitarist and frequent Prince player Mike T. Kerr, and a roomful of talented musicians including Chris Powell (drums), Brian Allen (bass), Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Lee Pardini (keyboard), and the exquisite backing vocals of fiancée and album inspiration Alyshia Grace. Stand in the Joy was mixed and recorded by Brandon Bell and mastered by Peter Lyman. As he continues to build his body of work, Prince’s music stands shoulder to shoulder with the upper echelons of songwriters, artists who are at once his heroes and his peers. Through his first three full-length albums, William Prince traced a personal journey through struggle and sorrow, and his songs have been there for people when they need it most. With his new album, the songwriter now makes a statement about happiness, generously sharing his own in the same way that he has shared everything that has come before. Prince is in a good place, and he worked very hard to get here.