Liverpool-based songwriter and seasoned music teacher Neil Potter released his debut album, Out of the Fjords and Into New Found Lands, across all platforms on October 22nd.
Drawing inspiration from soft rock, world music, and the theatrical grandeur of acts like Muse and Queen, Neil’s dynamic range as a solo performer is nothing short of captivating. On stage, he crafts rich sonic landscapes using just guitar, voice, and a loop pedal, building rhythms live and lifting audiences with the depth of his solo sound.
Comprising 13 original tracks, the album showcases sweeping full-band and orchestral arrangements, with three singles ahead of the full release. " What Could Have Been" opens the album with a tasty solo and vocals that bring me back to Alice in Chains, accompanied by a super catchy chorus. A great start, where we can also notice the high quality of the production. I love the riff of "Shipwrecked," a classy pop-rock song that evokes the '90s in its first part and takes a twist in the middle. Spanish and classical/acoustic vibes guitar for Musica El Idioma del Amor, something I didn't expect to hear after the first two songs, in terms of style, but this is not gonna be the first surprise of the album. Da Funk Outta Here, for instance, is a funky song with rapping vocal parts and a fantastic guitar solo.
Slow and hypnotical vibes (and another superb solo) for One Last Stand, and relaxed vibes for the eclectic single Over The Hills, which reminded me of Extreme in the first part and Jeff Buckley in the second one. Very interesting is Nightmares, divided into 2 parts, a delicate orchestral part, and a piano that goes from reassuring to creepy in the first one, and a guitar-based second one, with a few fantastic solos as well (I'm not surprised anymore).
The album closes with an almost 10-minute-long song, New Found Lands, a full-on song with prog, neoclassical moments, and a very intense finale. This is probably my favourite track on the album, if I had to pick one. It perfectly captures the essence of the album, with all its varied moods, choices, and moments. You will find it on my personal Best of 2025 Spotify playlist (click here).
Out of the Fjords and Into New Found Lands is an incredibly artistic album that incorporates elements from nearly every genre of music. It is impressively written and performed, with each piece fitting perfectly in its place and featuring fantastic guitar work. The production quality is excellent, considering the diverse sounds and moods present in every single song. Give it a go and follow Neil Potter on social media as well.
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