The Age
Self-Released, 2024
10/10
The Twin Cities artist Samuel Wilber has a penchant for ‘90s flavored shoegaze and folk-pop ideas, as these 11 songs unfold with themes surrounding the global climate crisis.
The title track opens the listen with Wilbur’s expressive voice alongside much atmosphere and Dani Michaele’s gorgeous backing vocals and Bob Beahen’s thumping drums, and “Bright Lights” follows with Joanna Artz lending her pipes to the dreamy landscape of beauty that builds into a frisky delivery of hazy folk.
In the middle, the swift and melodic textures of “Karen” welcomes Rachel Kenney’s pretty voice amid the scrappy, rootsy appeal, while “The Seasons” showcases Laura Kiernan bright singing that suits the pop ideas that you could dance to.
Arriving near the end, Bryan Highhill’s cozy keys populate the breezy “Take My Hand”, where Michaele handles lead vocals, and “Home” exits with a rich and harmonic display of stylish, modern folk-rock that’s an infectious as it is memorable.
Wilbur handles guitar, bass, piano, organ, vocals, synth, and uke, and along with his excellent help, he pens one of the best folk-ish records in recent history.
Travels well with: Martin Zellar- Head West; Skarlett Woods- Letters To The West