Scott Sean White – Days Are Long
A bit religious on some tunes, but lots of these Christian-oriented rock standouts are remarkable. I’ve listened to artists like Steve Taylor & Jars of Clay. Scott doesn’t pour it on, though he does have a spiritual lineage in his bright tunes. “She’d Be the Bible,” & “Here To Stay” are instantly melodically captivating. It’s his 3rd studio album & despite what I laid out in the previous sentences, White also creases his songs with deep subjects. Struggles with mental health, married life lasting 35 years, life’s regrets, fragile mortality & wrestling with himself as well as God (now that can be a heavy-duty song).
There are 10 expressive numbers produced by David Brainard (bass/acoustic & electric guitars/mandolin/accordion/toy xylophone/piano/keys/harmonica/percussion/bgv) that Days Are Long (Dropped June 12/Independent/33:59) explores.
“Piano For Sale” is fine with White’s vocals, but that Victoria Rudd backup chorus is exceptional. Many songs use poignancy as an ingredient. “Six” is a joyous tearjerker about reminiscing about when his daughter was young. Memories you can’t run from, right, Dad? And don’t want to.
Scott Sean White (piano/vocals) has a unique approach, & his songwriting is beautifully acute. Comparisons? I’d have to say he’s 2026’s James Taylor, with a generous dose of Martyn Joseph’s magnificent (“Please, Sir”), a pinch of Stephen Fearing, & the late English troubadour David McWilliams (“Can I Get There By Candlelight’). Scott has themes that have been sung before, but he manages to reshape them with skill. Even the simple “Little Bit of Luck” is charming.
The more inspired Country music is quite good. There’s a minimum of clichés & novelty. The songs are built on a solid foundation. The songs aren’t intense but quietly refined. Lots of spirit & polish. The religious fare isn’t preachy. There are no musical factory resets. Each tune is carefully constructed & lyrically adhered to. You can hear the lack of mainstream sugar. If the lyrics don’t get you, the music will. “What the Devil Whispers” is a deeply exceptional song in the tradition of veteran songwriter Martyn Joseph.
This is quite simply a strong set of well-written songs by a writer with instincts for cooking up melodies for ears to be attracted to like moths to a porch light. Songs with a female backup are lush yet powerful. The final title tune, “Days Are Long,” has a pensive, creative, rural approach mindful of the Band. Excellent stuff.
Highlights – “She’d Be the Bible,” “Here To Stay,” “Piano For Sale,” “Six,” “Little Bit of Luck,” “What The Devil Whispers,” & “Days Are Long.”
Musicians – Brian Fullen (drums), Justin Ostrander (electric guitar), Brian Douglas Phillips (steel guitar), Josh Matheny (dobro/lap steel), Brian House (upright bass), Alex Wright (piano/B3 organ), Ross Holmes (fiddle), Carole Rabinowitz (cello), Helene Cronin, Dani Flowers, & Susan Gibson (bgv).
CD @ Apple & https://www.scottseanwhite.com/
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2026/01/27/video-premiere-scott-sean-white-shed-be-the-bible/