Spottiswoode finds humour, heartbreak and humanity in fatherhood on new album 'It Wasn't In The Script'

There is a moment in every artist’s life when the subjects that once fuelled their work begin to lose their gravitational pull. And for Spottiswoode, a songwriter long fascinated by complicated relationships, romantic collapse and life’s darker corners, that moment appears to have arrived in the form of fatherhood. The result is 'It Wasn’t In The Script', a deeply personal and wonderfully unpredictable collection that may be his most affecting work to date.

Built around twelve songs inspired by life with his young daughter, the album tackles a subject surprisingly underrepresented in popular music. Yet rather than approaching parenthood with solemn reverence, Spottiswoode embraces its contradictions, understanding that raising a child is equal parts joy, anxiety, wonder and exhaustion, often all within the same afternoon.

Musically, 'It Wasn’t In The Script' refuses to settle into a single identity. The title-track arrives with a warm rhythm-and-blues swagger, while 'Just As We Planned' injects a shot of guitar-driven energy into proceedings. Elsewhere, 'Summer Day' draws from gospel traditions, 'It’s Always Something' leans towards Americana, and 'The Bullet’s Coming' inhabits a smoky late-night atmosphere that feels pulled from a forgotten noir soundtrack. On paper, such stylistic leaps could feel disjointed, but in practice, they mirror the unpredictable emotional terrain the album explores.

But what holds everything together is Spottiswoode’s songwriting. His lyrics remain sharp and observant, balancing wit with emotional honesty in a way few contemporary songwriters manage consistently. Even when addressing profound themes, there is often a knowing smile hiding beneath the surface. He writes like someone who understands that life rarely presents itself as pure tragedy or pure comedy.

The album also benefits from a leaner musical approach. Backed by an accomplished electric quartet and produced with clarity and restraint, the songs are allowed to breathe. The addition of Martha Redbone on selected tracks brings further emotional depth, while the appearances from Spottiswoode’s daughter Sophie Lee provide some of the album’s most quietly moving moments.

Perhaps the most impressive achievement of 'It Wasn’t In The Script' is how universal it feels. While rooted in the specific experience of being a father, the album ultimately speaks to change, responsibility, love and the unexpected ways people reshape our lives. These songs acknowledge that growing older inevitably alters our perspective, but they celebrate that transformation rather than fear it.

In a musical landscape often obsessed with youth, reinvention and trend-chasing, Spottiswoode has created a mature, thoughtful and deeply entertaining record that finds profound meaning in everyday life. 'It Wasn’t In The Script' may have been inspired by one small child, but its emotional reach extends far beyond that story.