Brennan Wedl is about to take Americana by storm with her game-changing new album – and we can't wait! This Nashville-bred 29-year-old songstress has already got critics singing from the same hymn sheet as genre legends, with some even checking credits to see if she's a long-lost legend like Lucinda Williams. But make no mistake, Wedl is a force to be reckoned with in her own right – and her self-titled album is proof.
With this third solo effort, Wedl has clearly been on an artistic mission from God (or at least that's what we'll call it) to create something truly special. And what she's produced alongside producer extraordinaire Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield) and her collaborator Brad Cook is a record that not only showcases her voice as "immediately iconic, so timeless and confident" but also promises huge melodies that will soon be filling the arenas.
But where does this unique sound come from? Well, Wedl's got a rich tapestry to draw on – from growing up in Missouri with aunts who were nuns (yes, really!) to discovering the rebellious spirit of riot grrrl at a young age. She's got a nuanced relationship with her Catholic upbringing, which informs her lyrical exploration of themes like 'the man', God, and even the classic "daddy" trope.
And it's not just her roots that've shaped her sound – Wedl's also got formative experiences in Minnesota's vibrant music scene to draw on, where she was influenced by local heroes like The Jayhawks, The Replacements, and Prince. Her early bands, including the playful queercore outfit Dazey and the Scouts, further honed her eclectic style. This album is a masterful blend of new compositions and songs written over the years – a form of "time-travel with music", Wedl calls it, which facilitates conversations between different versions of herself and profound, universal themes.
Take tracks like "Just Another Daddy Who Did Me Wrong" for example. This one's a scorching indictment of self-destructive patterns and the fantasies our minds concoct around reality – Wedl's tackling these tough topics with her trademark candour, refusing to sugarcoat anything. The result is an album that's raw, honest, and emotionally resonant, offering listeners a front-row seat to her journey of self-discovery and liberation through song.