“On this record we just sang, that’s the take, that’s the part, there’s the vocals, here’s the mic, sing the song, done.” Sounds like a typical remark from one of today’s lo-fi trailblazers like Fucked Up or Wavves. Yet, that line comes via press release from guitarist Tristan Wraight of Champaign, Ill indie-pop darlings Headlights, describing the aesthetic to Wildlife, the band’s upcoming third full-length.
The group’s lush, co-ed charm made Some Racing, Some Stopping a critical favorite of 2007, delivering some of that year’s best up-tempo swoons (“Cherry Tulips,” “Market Girl”). However, as Wraight explains, Wildlife tackles some of heady issues in comparison to previous efforts. “It was a very difficult record… For the first time this is a significantly personal record for us, and for very real reasons like growing up and people dying that you love.”
The band also scrapped most of an early version of Wildlife as well, parting with guitarist John Owen in the process. Wraight, keyboardist/vocalist Erin Fein and drummer/engineer Brett Sanderson have been together since 2004 and as they continue on with bassist Nick Sanborn (also of Decibully), the band hopes to break new emotional ground with this streamlined, immediate approach to recording.
Wildlife tracklist:
01. “Telephones”
02. “Secrets”
03. “You and Eye”
04. “Get Going”
05. “Love Song For Buddy”
06. “I Don’t Mind At All”
07. “Dead Ends”
08. “Wisconsin Beaches”
09. “We’re All Animals”
10. “Teenage Wonder”
11. “Slow Down Town”
Wildlife is out October 6th on Polyvinyl.
