photo courtesy of Sarah Wildfeuer

Single Reviews of Wildfeuer: “Bones” and “85 to 0”

Boston’s alt-rock scene has a new A-list band, if Wildfeuer‘s first two singles are any indication. Full of energy, power, and rhythmic persistence, “Bones” and “85 to 0” hint at a high ceiling for this Sarah Wildfeuer-led outfit.

image courtesy of Sarah Wildfeuer

On its first single, Wildfeuer kicks things off with an engaging, hypnotically rhythmic alt-rocker, “Bones,” that, as you start to listen to the lyrics, is topically perhaps cathartic, one hopes, as it disquietingly descriptively details the challenges of moving forward with life and love following a sexual assault. The vocals are suitably edgy, tunefully dashing around the contours of the melody. From the very first lyrics, the song is intense: “He digs his fingers into me. His dirty nails they make me bleed. Nothing ever sets me free from the memory.” The subject matter is, unfortunately, familiar to far too money people, so anything that helps engage public thought and discussion (and, of course, condemnation) on the matter is welcome, even moreso if it helps those who’ve experienced it find common cause. In this case, the message is in the package of a kickass song.

image courtesy of Sarah Wildfeuer

Second single “85 to 0” is slower paced and, with the beats highlighted moreso by the more intentionally plodding progression, sports perhaps a little heavier feel. This song is disquieting in a slightly different way, with a chorus that begins “With my headlights wrapped so nice round a streetlight. I think it would feel so nice to hit zero from eighty-five.” The wall of sound is greater during the chorus, and the vocal intensity picks up to match.

Together, this pair of intense, well-written songs suggest both a live performance that could enthrall a roomful of rockers (well beyond the core alt-rock crowd) and the likelihood of a future catalog of equally impressive songs in the band’s future. Perfect not just for an alt-rock college crowd but also for more veteran rock music fans, too. I’m already looking forward to whatever Wildfeuer releases next.

photo courtesy of Sarah Wildfeuer

Looking Ahead

You can find Wildfeuer online at the band’s website or its TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube pages. I don’t see any upcoming gigs listed, but I’ll definitely be watching for them.