‘What Did You See’, the standout single from Valley of Salt’s LP, Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: The Story of John the Baptist, is less a song and more a visceral awakening. Conceived by Brian Stemetzki, produced by Marty Willson-Piper, and bolstered by contributions from the Polyphonic Spree, the Fort Smith Arkansas Symphony, and Dallas gospel singers, the single is a testament to what happens when spirituality and artistry collide with unrelenting force.
The folk-leaning singer-songwriter accessibility is undeniable, but it’s in the aching emotion of the composition’s grandiosity that Valley of Salt takes their place as one of the most criminally overlooked acts in the contemporary rock landscape. As the classical strings slice through the earthy timbre of the production, you’d be forgiven for feeling your emotional defences buckle.
Stemetzki’s guitar work—featuring vintage 6- and 12-string Rickenbackers and a 1972 Fender Strat—lays the foundation for the composition’s humanity, while the orchestral flourishes and gospel harmonies elevate it to the celestial. Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness doesn’t just recount a spiritual saga—it wrestles with faith, doubt, and redemption in a way that resonates universally, beyond doctrines and ideology.
‘What Did You See’ embodies the soul of the project, balancing cerebral gospel storytelling with vocal vulnerability. With sense-swooning choruses and a production that leans as much on emotional resonance as on technical skill, Valley of Salt offers an open hand to those who dare to grasp the depth of its art and spirituality.
Valley of Salt’s LP, Voice of One Crying In The Wilderness- The Story Of John the Baptist, will be available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp from February 3rd. Discover more ways to connect with the band via their official website.
Review by Amelia Vandergast
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