By Dublin-rooted indie-influenced singer-songwriter Rory Gillanders has unequivocally proved his musical agility in his new six-track EP. Though originally only going to record one song at Soundcaster Studios, Gillanders managed to pull through and deliver a collation of consistently strong songs, in Wilderness.
Not only making a small nod to his influence of Bruce Springsteen with various harmonica interludes dotted within his tracks – December and Fuel to the Fire, to mention – Rory is able to portray, through the rawness and purity of his vocal execution, a quality of Bob Dylan, making this EP evocative in so many ways.
The EP opens with Hurricane, a powerful, and dramatic release that is sustained by its steady drums and forceful strumming. With the second track of the EP, Fuel to the Fire, granting the listener with a sweet electric guitar solo that melts back into the catchy hook, December offers a heartfelt and stripped back side to Rory as he sings ‘my soul will surrender, and we try to right the wrong.’
Beautiful Chaos, a dichotomous title as it stands, and is another slower track compared to the others. It seems to delve into a sad story through its lyrical content, suggestive of an experience of a relief despite an unnoticeable broken heart. In My Blood brings the EP to a melancholic close with the finalising lyrics of ‘Let’s not talk about us growing old.’
Check out ‘Wilderness’ below:
