Hell

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a wild ride with the Zoo Crew spinning "Hell" by Jesse Welles from his blistering album Hells Welles. This track, released on July 4, 2024, is a raw, folk-punk anthem that paints a vivid picture of struggle and societal decay. The song’s lyrics, like “Hell is in a trailer with an AR-15 / Blaming anybody else / For any bad you’ve ever seen,” cut deep, reflecting Welles’ knack for weaving sharp social commentary with gritty storytelling. In a Reddit post on r/FolkPunk, fans praised the album’s “well-informed and poetic lyrics,” with one user calling “Hell” a perfect encapsulation of modern woes, suggesting it belongs in a time capsule for future generations. Another fan on r/JesseWelles noted how the song’s stark imagery, like “Hell is in a pawn shop sellin’ Papa’s old knives,” resonates with anyone feeling trapped by economic hardship.

Digging into the song’s creation, Welles has shared that his approach is deliberately unpolished, often recording in natural settings to capture raw emotion. A New York Times interview revealed he initially posted “Hell” as a social media snippet, filmed in the woods near his Arkansas home, which helped it gain traction among fans. The song’s chorus, “We can all go to Hell / It’s easy enough / The hard part’s gettin’ back up,” became a rallying cry for listeners, with Instagram comments calling it both haunting and empowering. Welles’ sarcastic delivery, paired with his fluid guitar work, draws comparisons to Woody Guthrie, as noted in a Maximum Volume Music review, which highlighted how “Hell” channels the everyman’s frustration with a broken system.

Jesse Welles, born Jesse Wells in Ozark, Arkansas, in 1994, kicked off his musical journey around 2012 under the alias Jeh Sea Wells. Growing up in a small town with a population of just 3,590, he was surrounded by turkey plants and gas stations, a backdrop that shaped his gritty, grounded sound. According to his Wikipedia page, Welles started by posting homemade recordings on SoundCloud and Bandcamp, building a modest following. In 2012, he formed the band Dead Indian with Dirk Porter and Simon Martin, releasing two albums before moving to Nashville in 2015 to work with producer Dave Cobb. That same year, he started Cosmic-American with Simon Martin, Skyler Greene, and Blake Foster, though the band dissolved before releasing their album. His early rock roots shone through in his 2018 debut album Red Trees and White Trashes, but it was his 2023 pivot to folk protest songs on TikTok that skyrocketed his fame, especially after his father’s heart attack inspired a raw, topical songwriting streak.

Welles’ career took a viral turn in 2024 with Hells Welles, fueled by his YouTube and Instagram videos filmed in natural settings. His protest songs, tackling issues like capitalism and the fentanyl crisis, earned him over a million social media followers, as noted in a Glide Magazine review. Fans can connect with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, check out the r/JesseWelles subreddit, a vibrant fan community celebrating his music, or join discussions on Jesse Welles Fans on Facebook, where devotees share concert updates and lyric interpretations. Whether you’re raging against the machine or just vibing to the Zoo Crew’s spins, Welles’ “Hell” is a track that’ll stick with you.