Inside William Black’s Sonically Diverse New Album ‘The Nature of Hope’

William Black’s third studio album on Lowly Records tells a story of hope, despair, and the relationship between the two.

Two years after the release of his second studio album, ‘Pieces,’ future bass maestro William Black has added another gem to his discography with ‘The Nature of Hope.’ The new 14-track album includes songs with familiar collaborators Illenium and Fairlane as well as debuts with Dabin and Mazare. Several vocalists are featured as well, including Sofia Quinn, James Droll, Trella, Alana Springsteen, and Linney.

The short intro title track “The Nature of Hope” sets the scene for the album with an ominous soundscape and an apt Star Wars quote: “Hope is like the sun; if you only believe in it when you can see it, you’ll never make it through the night.” Songs like “Straight Into The Ground” and “Bleed 4 U” explore misplaced, self-destructive hope that holds one back from moving on from harmful relationships. “Whiplash,” on the other hand, is about pure, butterfly-inducing hope stemming from a brand new relationship.

“Last Forever” and “Want It All” grasp at the last few strands of hope in dying relationships, while “Shatterproof” and the Dabin collab “In The Cold” finally give in and say goodbye with a heavy heart. Hopelessness and despair in the wake of a breakup are dealt with on “Stay” and the Illenium collab “My Own Advice.” Perhaps the most lastingly positive sentiments are provided on “Beautiful Nothing” and “Higher Now,” both of which emphasize a personal hope for one’s future independent of a partner.

While Black revisits many of the same sounds and song structures for which he is well-known, he also delves into new territory that he hadn’t on previous albums. He leans into pop-punk vocals on several tracks, even recruiting rock band Point North, and integrates them seamlessly with beautiful future bass drops. Elements from other genres such as progressive house, drum and bass, and techno are used as well and are frequently blended with brief bits of acoustic guitar.

The album works its way ambitiously through a wide variety of paces and atmospheres, ranging from fast and intense (“Lie” and “Shatterproof”) to slow and airy (“Stay” and “Whiplash”). This diversity mirrors the multitude of emotions and attitudes evoked by hope and despair throughout life. In both cases, one extreme can’t truly exist without the other balancing it out.

Black will be heading out on a 20-stop ‘The Nature of Hope’ tour across the United States in February 2024. Check out the new album below to hear the songs fans will be belting out at these shows.