Album Review: Ken Presse – Someday

Ken Presse’s sophomore LP, Someday, arrives this coming Friday, January 17, carrying the quiet confidence of an artist who has grown more assured in his craft. Following his debut, Presse deepens his exploration of vulnerability, mental health, and self-reflection, delivering an album that feels intimate yet expansive. It’s a delicate balance—modern in its polish, timeless in its emotional weight.

Formerly a member of the JUNO-nominated group The Franklin Electric, Presse steps fully into his own voice here. Someday unfolds slowly, inviting listeners into its carefully constructed world—a space where lush country-folk arrangements meet thoughtful lyricism.

The album opens with Losing Sleep, an unexpected burst of energy. Horns swell, drums stomp forward, and Presse’s vocals cut through with clarity. It’s the kind of track that surprises you—not because it’s loud, but because it pulses with a restlessness that contrasts the more subdued moments to come. Beneath its lively exterior, the song wrestles with sleepless nights and restless thoughts, setting the thematic tone for the album.

Then comes If I Could, easing the tempo back down. Here, Presse returns to familiar terrain: gentle acoustic guitar, subtle string arrangements, and lyrics that carry the weight of quiet confessions. “I wore my heart on my sleeve. Maybe just a little too much,” he sings—not with regret, but with a kind of tired acceptance. The song feels like an exhale, a pause to reflect after the storm of the opener.

Like Hell I Do, one of the album’s lead singles, finds Presse confronting mental health struggles with unflinching honesty. The production is restrained, allowing the lyrics to take centre stage with raw, clear-eyed reflection.

The record isn’t all introspection. Somehow Better hints at something bigger, bolder. It’s the album’s most expansive moment, with layered instrumentation and a nostalgic undercurrent that suggests it’s destined to be a standout in live settings. There’s a cinematic quality to it—without feeling overwrought. It’s big, but never bloated.

The title track, Someday, leans into this same richness. The horns return, blending seamlessly with Presse’s acoustic foundation. It’s a song that lingers on the edge of hope and resignation, balancing the two in a profoundly human way.

Runway jolts the album back to motion, grappling with the passage of time and the creeping fear of regret. The energy here feels necessary—a reminder that self-reflection doesn’t have to mean stillness. It’s also about movement, pressing forward even when the ground feels unsteady.

Then there’s He Ain’t Alright, which tackles the masks we wear. “Acting like there’s nothing wrong when he’s barely hanging on,” Presse sings, the words cutting through a rhythmic stomp. It’s a brutally honest observation wrapped in a melody that almost feels defiant. That contrast—between lyrical weight and musical levity—is something Presse navigates well throughout the album.

Closing track Might As Well strips everything back. It’s just Presse and his guitar, no embellishments. “No stories to tell. I kinda just wanna be alone,” he confesses. It’s a stark but fitting end to an album built on honesty. Here, Presse sounds spent, not in a defeated way, but in the way that follows emotional release. The decision to end on this note feels deliberate—a quiet goodbye rather than a dramatic send-off.

The production across Someday is consistently warm and detailed. Acoustic guitars shimmer without feeling too polished, strings weave in and out without overwhelming, and the occasional horns add colour without stealing focus. Presse’s experience as a producer and mixer for artists like Ryan Kinder, Celina Wolfe, and Meghan Oak is evident. Every element feels intentional, serving the songs rather than dressing them up.

This personal approach makes sense, given that Presse has framed Someday as a tribute to those affected by mental health struggles—a theme he approaches with empathy and nuance. These songs don’t preach or dramatize; they simply offer space for reflection. It’s a careful, considerate kind of songwriting grounded in real experience.

His upcoming hometown show on the release day promises to bring these songs to life in an intimate space. Montreal has always had room for artists who bridge the personal and the universal and Someday feels right at home in that tradition.

The album doesn’t chase trends or try to be more than it is. Instead, it offers something harder to come by: a thoughtful, emotionally resonant collection of songs that trust the listener to sit with them. It’s music that doesn’t demand your attention but instead earns it quietly and completely.

Someday is released on 17 January 2025.