Rising singer-songwriter Waylon Wyatt dropped the third sampling of his debut album, Dustpiles, last Friday. The song, “But There Was A Time,” reminisces on the golden era of a relationship from a post-breakup perspective.
Co-written by Wyatt and Brett Truitt, the plaintive song captures the desolation of heartache with spare production led by the singer’s heavy acoustic strums, slide electric guitar, keys, and toned-down drums. Similar to other tracks like “Arkansas Diamond” and “O.D.,” it does an incredible job of immersing you in the story Wyatt’s telling. In this case, “But There Was A Time” explores the stark contrast between deep love and dependence and the anger and pain that follow, revealing how both states are equally fragile.
This thread of passion and heartbreak is set to define Dustpiles, Wyatt’s first full-length release since his breakout single, “Everything Under The Sun,” went viral on TikTok in 2023. Since then, he’s built steady momentum on the road, opening for artists like Dwight Yoakam and Drayton Farley and racking up over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Set for release July 17 via Music Soup/Darkroom Records, Dustpiles finds Wyatt expanding his sound and collaborators, working with acclaimed writers including Carter Faith, Tofer Brown, and Anderson East. Its first two singles, “In Loving Melody,” and “Dead Man Walking’,” dropped earlier this year. Currently on his nationwide “Everywhere Under The Sun Tour,” the Arkansas native shows no signs of slowing down.
Be sure to check if Wyatt is coming to your town here, and listen to “But There Was A Time” below: