Listen: Wild Ones - "Paresthesia"

photo by Jeremy Hernandez

After the summer grooves of 2015's Heatwave EP, Portland indie pop outfit Wild Ones are back with a new single ahead of their sophomore album Mirror Touch. "Paresthesia", the first single and lead track on the upcoming album, finds the band trading in their funky guitar grooves for synth tapestries and a multitude of effects. Singer Danielle Sullivan is still the object of the band's focus: harmonizing with herself and running her vocals through reverbs and delays but the track remains a bright, pretty much straightforward jam despite its experimentation. It's a return of sorts to the textures that defined much of Wild Ones' debut album Keep It Safe while incorporating much of what the band's achieved since then. Since their debut, the band has formed into a solid, cohesive unit and that's true here even if the full band are utilized more subtly than a track like Heatwave standout "Show Me Islands". Named after the scientic name for the tingling feeling of pin and needles, there's a freshness in Wild Ones' sound as well as a pep in their step.

Curiously enough, it's Sullivan's attempt to frame a particular anxious time in her life in a positive context. On "Paresthesia", Sullivan takes responsibility for her anxiety causing her to pull away from everything and work through it. It's a pep talk of sorts as Sullivan's "This has got to be the last time" is more to herself than anyone. Underneath the sunny melodies and the quick pacing, Sullivan's taking an emotional inventory of sorts: she can see what she needs and what she wants but it's about getting there mentally as well as physically. While anxiety isn't really a thing you can just get over, Sullivan's clearly worked through the intense portion of it that caused her to become a shut-in and the poppiness of the single frames it as a winsome triumph of her spirit. "Paresthesia" finds Sullivan removed just enough that she can reflect on her feelings of fear in a way that they don't seem quite so scary anymore but still close enough  that she can still empathize with the kind of person she was in that state. Sullivan's lyrics are honest and sincere while never losing the sense of ease and fun that's such an integral part of Wild Ones' sounds. The fact that the band can tackle such a serious subject and make it so palatable bodes particular well for the rest of Mirror Touch and I certainly can't wait to see what the band have up their sleeves.



Wild Ones' sophomore album Mirror Touch is out October 6th on Topshelf Records. You can pre-order the album now.

All Around Sound Is Turning Seven! - Day 3: Wild Ones

Much like previous contributors Genders who's mix went up earlier this week, Portland's Wild Ones were a discovery I made through fellow Portland friends Typhoon. In fact both Wild Ones and Genders' former band Youth went on a west coast BFF tour together and that's essentially how both bands came to my attention. I even emailed them for info at the time since at the time they didn't have a bio. Wild Ones, similar to Genders have undergone a number of changes since I happened upon them but one thing has remained the same: they're still making sweet synth pop jams helmed by their amazing frontwoman Danielle Sullivan. Their debut full length Keep It Safe was an instant favorite, "Show Me Islands" from their Heatwave EP was our song of the summer for two consecutive summers, and their upcoming sophomore record is one we're eagerly awaiting.

Considering how thoroughly invested we are in their new record, it seemed pretty logical to ask what they were even listening to. The result was a mix from Danielle that in her own words is "is pall over the damn place". It's an eclectic mix in the best way pairing Danielle's love of pop (both mainstream and of the indie variety) with innovative songwriters and even a little world music. Enjoy!



Thanks to Danielle for sending us this rad mix and here's hoping it's not too long before their sophomore record is ready to release and subsequent tour. If you haven't seen Wild Ones live yet, I highly recommend rectifying that.

Listen: Wild Ones - "Curse Over Me"

Portland's Wild Ones have been making big strides away from the blatant sugary pop of their You're A Winner EP as of late. With the details of their upcoming debut Keep It Safe now out in the world, it's looking to be a rather dynamic shift in direction - for the best. After the synthy "Golden Twin", new single "Curse Over Me" plumps ahead in that direction, coming down a bit in sweetness and offering a bit of overcast in Wild Ones' normally sunny skies.

Don't mistake, it's still the spry, slinky pop Wild Ones are proving themselves more and more adept at serving up, it's just the first time the quartet have offered up something with even the slightest hint of emotional tumult. It's a good look for the band and one that's sure to give their upcoming record a lot more versatility.



Wild Ones' forthcoming debut full length Keep It Safe is due out July 9th on Party Damage Records.

Listen: Wild Ones - "Golden Twin"

Sometime this year Portland indie-pop quartet Wild Ones will be releasing their debut full length and if their latest single "Golden Twin" is anything to go off, their follow up to their You're A Winner EP is going to be a an enjoyable affair.

Glimpsed briefly in previous single "It's Real" but far more evident in "Golden Twin", the sort of sugary pop of their formative years have more or less been scrubbed clean from the band, remaining purely in Danielle Sullivan's sweet, girlish vocals. But their bouncy synth pop has taken on a rockier, less pristine edge. Slightly glitchy but still fluid, Sullivan's vocals billow over the band, high enough to remain as immaculate and clear as they've been in the past without seeming entirely separate from the band's groove. All while retaining that spark that originally drew people to Wild Ones. It's just a much more mature band more able in balancing their pop hooks with instrumentals of worth.

Wild Ones - "It's Real"

Remember Wild Ones? Sure you do. The spunky Portland indie-pop quintet just finished a west coast tour with Surfer Blood and have toured with hometown buddies Youth and Typhoon as part of their appropriately named BFF tour. Well the fivesome are prepping their full length debut and if new track "It's Real" is anything to go off of, it's going to an assortment of summery jams - my favorite kind.

Pitstop: Wild Ones

One of the good things about following a good band is that you're introduced to a bunch of other good bands by proxy. Just like I found Youth through Portland folk outfit Typhoon, I was able to discover synth-pop quintet Wild Ones through the promotion of Typhoon's BFF Fall Tour.

Formed in 2009 as a duo, Danielle Sullivan and Thomas Himes assembled a cast of talented musicians to round out their band and bring their bedroom recordings to life. As a result, the band has released their You're A Winner EP earlier this year filled with vibrant, upbeat synth-pop with moony but infectious toe-tapping melodies. Thankfully there's more to come as the band work on a full length album for release next year.

Get a taste of Wild Ones with the EP tracks as well as new track "Need It All" on their Souncloud here.
Need It All by WILD_ONES