Album Review: David Wimbish & The Collection - Self Titled
- Kaitlyn Nicole
- Jul 25
- 7 min read
Going back to where it all began, David Wimbish & The Collection is once again the solo project that it was when the project first started, creating a bittersweet full circle moment.
“The end of one journey is often the beginning of another, and sometimes, you need to
travel down a road that’s beautiful and challenging, to realize that heading back to the
place you began is where you need to go." - David Wimbish
TRACKLIST
Won't Stop Yet (One More Hour)
Love Me More
Medication (Deserve To Be Well)
Beautiful Life (Just Can't Get Enough)
The Weather (Too Tired To Cry)
Love (At The End Of The World)
You (Taste Like Wine)
Take It With You
Singer/Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist, David Wimbish began releasing music as a solo artist over a decade ago underneath the name "David Wimbish & The Collection". Little did he know at the time just how much his music would end up impacting the world, and what his project would grow into. What would end up becoming The Collection, a six-piece touring band, David dropped his name from the title, as he found a sense of family and community with his newfound members and collaborators. They released four full-length albums together, gained a loyal fanbase of over 252k Spotify monthly listeners, and had recognition from American Songwriter and NPR's Tiny Desk. Last year, (2024), various members of the band had announced their departure from The Collection to pursue other life callings, leaving David Wimbish to make the decision of a lifetime. And so, he went back to his roots, and I'd say he made the right call. This brand new self-titled album takes classic The Collection fan favorites and gives them a fresh, raw, emotional spin that shed's a whole new light on their meanings; plus, two whole new songs for us to explore.
"I always just want people to feel like they’re not alone... On these songs,
I’m tapping into some deeply vulnerable topics and spaces, like relationships, self-
loathing, depression, and fear. My hope is people will feel very seen and maybe even
held." - David Wimbish
Won't Stop Yet (One More Hour)
Ironically, we start off with the remake of the first ever song I heard from The Collection when I started Pop Passion Blog, and the song that made me an instant fan. While the original track took more of a fun-loving pop approach, this version makes you stop and really pay attention to the actual seriousness behind the lyrics. The instrumentation has a fullness and a realness that expands the emotional drive. The style feels more like folk rock, with an Americana twist in the lead guitar. When this song first came out, we were all coming out of a global pandemic, but today it still feels more relatable than ever. "Won't Stop Yet (One More Hour)" is about being stuck in a rut, but knowing that you are. Admitting it is always the first step to recovery, and all you can do is keep trying your best every single day; even if your best is just the ability to get out of bed. David sings, "I got one more hour, I got one more step. Might not make it further, but I won't stop yet".
Love Me More
Track two is the leading brand new solo single, "Love Me More", a tragic ballad about losing a love due to the lack of loving yourself. Sometimes, we don't realize just how much our mental health affects not only how we think we feel about other people, but how we feel about ourselves. We end up sabotaging good things, and hurting people that might not deserve it because deep down inside, we think we're not worthy of the love they're trying to give us. David Wimbish wrote "Love Me More" at the end of a crumbling relationship as he was trying to make sense of it all. After it did end, he came to the realization that he needed to start loving himself more as he sings, "what if you love me more than I do?". "Love Me More" has a gorgeous, classic tone and groove with heavy reverb ringing in the air. David let's his vocals and the melody shine through, really emphasising the personal vulnerability.
Medication (Deserve To Be Well)
Next, we have a new version of a fan favorite song. David Wimbish has always been open about his long-term struggles with depression, and has used his music to share his experiences in hopes to help others not feel alone. Like many, he used to not want to take medication in fear that it would change who he is, but after giving it a try, he realized it was the best thing for him and his mental health. "Medication (Deserve To Be Well)" is an empowering song about breaking free from the chains and doing what's best for you to make yourself happy. If that means taking medication, you don't have to be ashamed. The original version of this song has an upbeat, pop influenced soundscape, while this version is more broken down with acoustic strings. It's gentle, yet so incredibly powerful at the same time. It feels like a cinematic experience that gives you a sense of hope and catharsis. David sings with such raw emotion, I'll be honest, I was choking back tears.
Beautiful Life (Just Can't Get Enough)
"Beautiful Life" was released several years ago, and still remains a fan favorite song due to its powerful nature. David wrote this song when he found out he was going to be a father, and tried to imagine he was singing it to his unborn child. You can tell the original comes from a place of excitement with a lively soundscape full of horns. However, "Beautiful Life (Just Can't Get Enough)" feels softer, slower and has layers of guitar. David sings from a place of fondness; now that it's been years since he wrote this song, he's able to pull deeper from that emotion, and you can feel it in his voice. This track is about letting go of all the darkness that has held you back, and grasping onto the good. Enjoy your life while you still have it.
The Weather (Too Tired To Cry)
Have you ever had someone ask you how you are and you struggled to even say that you're fine, because it would be a lie? David Wimbish wrote "The Weather", a very personal story, while in an airport in Portugal. It was one of those days where everything seemed to be going wrong. When someone asked him how he was, he didn't even know how to answer, and just needed time to have a moment alone. We've all been there, and that's what makes this song one of the most relatable out there. "The Weather (Too Tired To Cry)" takes a more emotional approach without losing its powerful structure with layers of guitar and crashing drums. You can hear the raw pain behind David's voice as he sings.
Love (At The End Of The World)
"Love (At The End Of The World)" is a song that grows more true each day, as life becomes harder to survive. However, this song holds a sense of hope as it's about finding love and someone to hold onto in midst of all the chaos and turmoil. The original track has almost a sassy tone as to call out the ones who put us in the situation in the first place. It's more of an upbeat, classic orchestral rock ballad. However, this version really sheds light on the love perspective of the story. "Love (At The End Of The World)", has a slower tempo, with softer vocals, acoustic guitar and gentle strings to create a romantic atmosphere. In times like these, it's important to have someone in your life to help get you through. Honestly, this sounds like a perfect song to play at your wedding if you're getting married in the next few years. (I am, and I'm totally adding this to my wedding playlist).
You (Taste Like Wine)
Taking a whole new approach on an old favorite, "You (Taste Like Wine)" has such a beautiful, fresh sound that sounds authentic to David's style. The original "You Taste Like Wine" has more of a 60's / 70's influence, using electric organ and horns with a super classic and upbeat groove. However, "You (Taste Like Wine)" has a complete rhythmic and tonal shift, having an intentional, loving melody with a soft folk rock soundscape. This song is about falling in love with someone that you know love's you back. After being through so much, you've finally found someone that feels like home to you.
Take It With You
Last but certainly not least, we've reached the final track, "Take It With You", which is the other brand new song off of the album. This song is a tragic, emotional piano ballad that builds into something more. I can imagine this one being a tear-jerker at live shows. "Take It With You" is about that type of toxic relationship where your partners problems start to intertwine into yours to the point where it's not only negatively impacting your feelings for each other, but your own personal life and mental health. David sings, "Take it with you when you go, that shit ain't really mine to hold on to". This song was the perfect, powerful closing track to an incredible album.
I've personally been a big fan of David's work for a long time now, and I've got to say I couldn't be more proud than I am right now of what he is doing. I've always believed that he is one of the most underrated songwriters and artists of our time, and this new project solidifies that even more for me. Listening to reimagined versions of already incredible songs made me emotional, because you can hear the love and passion that he has put behind re-doing each song. Not only that, but the two brand new tracks are now two of my favorite songs that I've heard all year long, and I've heard A LOT of songs. I'm so happy that we still have David Wimbish & The Collection to look forward to in the foreseeable future, because his music is needed in this world. We love you David!
Do us a favor and follow all of David's social media pages below to stay updated on his incredible journey.
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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