Blending a rootsy pop-soul sound with honest songwriting, Tim Qualls delivers songs about true love, heartbreak, and family. And on October 11th, 2024, the Houston-based singer-songwriter released his newly reimagined album, Feel (Stripped).
Following the original release of his album, Feel, last October, this version features the same 10 tracks stripped of grand instrumentals, replacing them with lo-fi beats, minimal instrumentation, and an increased focus on vocal harmonies. Feel was named Best Album of 2023 by the Houston Chronicle.
Inspired by classic and modern legends like Ray Charles and John Mayer among others, Qualls has been consistently releasing music for nearly 15 years. His debut EP, This is Our Land, was released in 2010. Delivering a delightful mix of indie pop and soul, The Lone Star songsmith developed his style from his time as a music student at Sam Houston State where he frequented open mics.
The album's title track is a delicate love song about commitment and certainty. Featuring soft piano and strings, Qualls sings about his life with partner and the security he feels. "I don't mind spending all my time / In this beautiful life we've made / Celebrate with a bottle of wine / Swear to God I won't change my mind." "Feel" is a delightfully tender song that tugs at the heart strings.
"Family Ties" is a reminder of the importance of family and connection. With powerful harmonies and muted synth beats, the track is an ode to the people whose "blood is running through" us. "Gave me everything that I needed / Don't forget your family ties / Don't you ever forget where you came from," he sings with conviction.
Light and spatial, "History" features a simple, relaxed beat and airy guitar. The track is about a long time spent with a particular partner, traversing through the thick and thin. He sings, "As sure as the sun will shine / You will always be mine / No matter what the world may bring / You and me got history."
The album's closing track, "Mine," was not previously released as a single on the former album but was on this one, shining in a different way on the new stripped down version. With a simple kick drum, guitar, and chilling choral harmonies, "Mine" is about a captivating and long-lasting relationship. Qualls' vocals are deep and soulful as he croons, "You told me that you'd always be around / And now that you have me / Lord have mercy / You will always be mine."
Qualls digs deep into the heart and soul of things throughout Feel (Stripped), offering a more intimate take on the award-winning project. The stripped down re-recordings of the tracks place them in a new light, creating new opportunities for connection and revealing new meaning.
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