The debut single from Liverpool’s Thomas Bradley Project, All I Ever Wanted, is a folk-rock track that blends warmth, nostalgia, and bluesy undertones into a polished and accessible sound. The band describes it as “a classic love song over a laid-back blues groove, with a few hints of rock scattered about.” And for once, that description actually holds up—the song is easygoing yet rich in texture, with just enough grit to keep things interesting. And the cover art? Shot at West Kirby, looking all misty and contemplative, just in case you weren’t already imagining yourself staring at the horizon. Thomas Bradley and the band have already racked up over 250k views on YouTube, largely through covers, which is a solid strategy if you want to build an audience without having to sell your soul to a major label.
Personally, I find the track to take a lot of sonic alt-rock influences, most notably the best parts of Incubus’ dreamier side—swirling reverb, delicate vocal layering, and an overall sense that the universe is probably bigger than we’ll ever understand—but keeps things rooted in folk’s earthier, more introspective vibe.
It starts simple: finger-picked acoustic guitars, soft percussion, a slow, meditative build. Very “I’m walking through a misty field at sunrise, contemplating the meaning of existence.” The lyrics double down on this energy, and the chorus hits, and suddenly we’re in full-blown alt-rock anthem mode. Big, soaring vocals, spacey harmonies—the whole “let’s all stand on a cliff and feel things” package.
One of the most notable aspects of this release is how refined it sounds for a debut. The production is crisp without feeling overworked, allowing the song to breathe while maintaining a sense of warmth and authenticity. It doesn’t push boundaries, but it doesn’t need to—its strength lies in its sincerity and well-crafted arrangement. It sounds both intimate and massive at the same time, and that’s a pretty hard line to balance, but the band does it very well.
What makes this track stand out is how polished it is for a debut. It’s got that professional-but-not-overproduced sound, meaning it still feels organic while being crisp enough to slide effortlessly into a folk-rock playlist. It’s not breaking any musical barriers, but let’s be honest—most people don’t want their folk-rock to be experimental jazz fusion. They want something warm, familiar, and well-made. This song delivers exactly that.
If All I Ever Wanted is any indication, they’re not just good at riding the algorithm; they’re talented. This is a strong start, and if they keep this up, they won’t be “up-and-coming” for long. If you like folk but secretly wish it had more vibes, or if you miss when alternative rock still had a soul, you’ll probably love this.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
