Artist: Stevie Cornell: Vocals and guitar

Album: ‘Some Sweet Dream;’ Released: March 29, 2024; Producer: Cornell

Musicians often garner a weariness during their life journeys, but their most heartfelt tunes never give up hope in humanity. That’s certainly the case for Santa Rosa, California-based singer-songwriter-guitarist, Stevie Cornell, who released his second solo album earlier this year. The record, ‘Some Sweet Dream,’

intertwines his warm, engaging personality with emotional reflections on his past, throughout its 12 tracks.

The LP thrives on the artist’s strumming on his electric rhythm guitars and his poignant vocal harmonies. He infuses a unique blend of Americana, punk and rockabilly into every tune on the album. The musician also proves his excellence in songwriting by adding an eclectic mix of 1950s soul, jazz, blues and R&B in his vocals and instrumentation. His guitar playing is notably superb, as he has condensed all of his complicated studio arrangements down to six strings, without any additional effects. 

‘Some Sweet Dream’ begins with the folk-inspired nostalgic entry, ‘Better as a Memory.’ The track is driven by a melodic blend of electric rhythm guitars and retro vocal harmonies. Cornell soulfully croons about how he’s learned and matured from his actions, but admits that he also still feels shame over the pain he caused the person he loved. As a result, he proclaims the song’s title – that he’s better as a memory.

Another standout tune on the musician’s latest record is its third entry, ‘Dark Are the Windows.’ Influenced by some of the greatest country artists of the mid-20th century, including Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Willie Nelson, as well as classic gospel elements, Cornell crafted another sentimental song. He reflects on the fact that the person he loves doesn’t live next door anymore in his signature country drawl, as he fondly remembers their time together.

‘Dark Are the Windows’ then transitions into the LP’s title track. The song, which takes inspiration from another mid-1900s rockabilly musician, Ricky Nelson, blends elements of pop and country into a smooth melody and soft harmonies. Cornell’s stunning voice is driven by steel guitar riffs that amplify the track’s warm, romantic tones. The singer croons in affectionate tones that he cherishes when the person he loves helps him find his way home, even during times when he’s the one to blame for them being apart.

The ‘Some Sweet Dream’ album begins to wind down with its penultimate entry, ‘Where Do You Go From Here?’ The tune, which features a more modern pop-rock sound than its predecessors, features gleaming guitars riffs that drive the silky melodic flow. Cornell divulges that he no longer has the energy to wait for the person he loves, so he makes his intentions that he wants to be together clearly known.

‘Where Do You Go From Here?’ is followed by the record’s final entry, ‘One More Time.’ The blues-folk-inspired tune ties the entire LP together through its unifying storytelling elements in its lyrics, as well as its soulful guitar riffs. In smooth vocals, Cornell ponders how he can continue to cherish the sweet memories he has made with the person he loves, as well as what their future may hold.

In his passionate vocals, lyrics and guitar playing on his latest collection of songs, Cornell proves that he has never given hope in humanity, despite the weariness he has also garnered throughout his life. His ‘Some Sweet Dream’ album features an eclectic collection of classic and contemporary country, rockabilly, folk and pop-inspired tracks. With his innate storytelling and contemplative ability, the musician crafted his own unique style, which offers an emotional reflection on his past and future.

For more information on Cornell, visit his official website, as well as his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify pages.