After having overcome some recent life challenges, last month Wild Ones re-released their debut album Keep It Safe through Topshelf Records.
Danielle Sullivan’s writing reflects some of the tensions leading to growth, tapping into lucid thoughts of pure connection and how letting go is easier for some than others. Her vocals are high and clear, and the formula of each song is still sweet and synthy. But what stands out most from the instrumentation of their previous EP, You’re A Winner, is the breadth of electronics, the new drumming of Seve Sheldon, and the guitar styling of Nick Vicario who transitioned from bassist to guitarist in the band.
This album is bound to narrate upcoming summer excursions. Slower songs like “18 Mile Island” carry intricate guitar solos behind breezy soundscapes and lyrics of “make believin’ is the only thing i do.” “Lion Heart” begins beefed up with a heavy riff over drum beats, then hops and skips lightly into pop and intricate keyboard, before finishing with a rock guitar wail. There is a lot of crystalline electronic looping as well on tracks such as “Row,” and the final, title track “Keep It Safe,” which is perhaps a promise to stay wild, stay strong, and let all that hard work pay off.
– Brandy Crowe