Music Review: Jen Wood, Wilderness

By Melissa Bratcher

How does writing an album on piano differ from writing an album with a guitar? For an answer, listen to indie/neo-folk singer Jen Wood’s new album, Wilderness. While her previous releases had been written on guitar, Wilderness is piano based and as a result, even at its quietest and most intimate, has a massive, almost filmic quality. The songs are deep and moving and meaningful, chronicling the last several years of her life.

Jen Wood worked on these songs in close collaboration with drummer Alex Westcoat. The partnership pays off in intricate rhythms and unusual percussion sounds that fully complement the dramatic sweep of Wood’s voice and piano. The drum sound on the urgent, yet calm “Run With The Wild Ones” is enormous. The song itself is like a storm brewing, with Wood’s easy, relaxed vocals a counterpoint to the cavernous drumming. It’s a gigantic song.

Gigantic songs are the blood of Wilderness. The opening track, “Fell In Love” is driven by Wood’s insistent piano line that builds in grandness to a shimmering back half. Her voice on “Where Real Love Is” is undeniably lovely, pure and forceful on the chorus. The wildness is palpable as she sings, “I will not fall into your trap/ like an animal waiting to be killed.” It’s strong, rich on atmosphere, and cinematic. “In Rewind” builds to a gorgeous shimmer with glittery synths over drums that pump away like a machine.

On Wilderness, one of the most interesting collaborations is with musician Andy Myers, who composed chiptune/GameBoy electronic flourishes. They’re never the focus of a song, but instead add a deeper texture to Wood’s music, like on the previously noted, “Run With The Wild Ones.” Layers of electronica are added to the quietly haunting “Mind Wars (Red Shoes)” over Wood’s piano and searching vocals.

Wilderness lives up to its title. There’s wilderness in the layers of clever instrumentation, in the tricky, nervy drumming, and in Wood’s remarkable voice. She has an honest voice, one that slips from strength and audacity to a quiet breathiness that still conveys force. It’s the kind of record that becomes more captivating on repeated listens. There’s much to hear, and Wood has much to say.

Wilderness was released by Radar Light/New Granada on October 14. It can be purchased from Jen Wood’s Bandcamp page.