JUSTIN MASTERS is an artist I’ve reviewed before on RockEyez with his debut release “Good Life Bad Liver” back in 2017 so when I heard he had a new release I was curious to hear it. This time around we get something old, but it is also something new as “Before and Way After” is a collection of songs written well prior to Master’s 2017 debut yet recorded at the same time but now released several years later. Got all that? Good.

So then let’s get into the songs on the new release. As with the previous album, the songs on “Before…” are sung by Zach Allen of NYC rockers TEMPT and Masters handles all else except drums which are played by Jason Harrison. Starting with “The Good Hard Life” we pick up with the same style that the debut had as Masters displays his “common working man” lyrical style. The song is sparse musically with the lyrics driving the story. If you’d imagine Bruce Springsteen’s story-telling you’d have a pretty good idea where his songs come from. Masters has the gift of crafting “real world” lyrics  and with lines like “Maybe I could have gone to college and get handed a suit and tie but a business man ain’t always an honest man and I couldn’t tell you lies”. Allen does a good job of delivering the lyrics with conviction. “Being Nineteen” is a fun song with some country style guitars while “Love Isn’t Kind To Strangers” is a mellow song that displays more of Masters lyrical prowess. He is most definitely cut from the mold of troubadours like Springsteen, Willie Nile and even Graham Parker.

For me, this collection of songs really starts to settle in with “There Goes The Love” as the song seems a bit more polished with a rockier approach and has a real “full band” feel and structurally is one of my favorites on the record. “Highways Hotel” continues this approach and the piano beginning definitely brings back memories early E Street Band sounds yet the song also has more of a harder rock vibe too. It’s a mid-paced song but I like the feel and especially the guitar playing. “Convicted” has a great late ‘80s vibe with the underlying keyboard sounds and great guitar solo. “Ain’t Got Nothing” continues with the edgy guitars and you really hear some of Masters harder rock influences coming out on the last trio of songs. It’s a different side of his songwriting for sure but he measures up to the task.

“Temptation Night” brings together ‘80s singer/songwriter and pop styles with the underlying synthesizer sounds yet tells the story of those carefree summer nights one would experience in their late teens and early 20’s. It’s good stuff with a nice vibe. “You Only Live Once” has a Springsteen feel and the line “You only live once but you die a thousand times” is simple yet makes you think how true that statement actually is. “A Rainy Night and a Cup of Tea” opens with a Springsteen-like harmonica but features more of a country feel and reminds me of Chicago singer/songwriter Michael McDermott or even a bit of Tom Petty. The album closes with “Keeping You In Mind” and it is a mid-paced song with retrospective lyrics and it’s a good choice to end the album.

All in all, “Before And Way After” gives an insight into Justin Masters past and showcases several of his influences along the way. It’s a nice companion piece to stand alongside his debut album and it also makes you wonder where his musical road will lead next. I like his songwriting and lyrics. It definitely reminds of some of the great singer/songwriters out there and as I had felt with the debut, it really makes me wonder what he could accomplish with a bit more seasoning and maybe a full band to back his overall vision. It could be special so keep watching out for this artist.