Orson Wilds Showcase The Depth of Their Anthemic Musicality In Stripped-Down Versions of "Stand Up" and "Mothers Daughters"
Photo by Calm Elliott-Armstrong
By Emily Herbein
Orson Wilds, of Ontario, Canada, seem to have erupted onto the scene out of nowhere. I know it’s partly due to my loose ties with their team and the fact that I think anyone Will Yip scouts is gold, but even though the band has only released two songs, I can’t go a day without listening to either of them. I haven’t had a band do that for me in a while, but this duo has the absolute best parts of everything that I look for in an artist. They’ve got the distinct aesthetic of a group like Tigers Jaw paired with the anthemic urgency to match the likes of Arcade Fire. This powerhouse of a duo worth paying attention to, and if you know me, then you know I’m fiercely loyal to my finds. The authenticity behind Eric Reid and Briana Bordihn’s musical chemistry and profoundly shaking lyricism put them in the perfect space to completely confound a live, plugged-in atmosphere or a stripped-back acoustic setting, as they’ve done with this new batch of releases.
Their latest visual for the acoustic rendering of “Mothers Daughters” doesn’t sacrifice that aforementioned anthemic feel. The band is front-and-center with an array of close-up shots to emphasize the intended intimacy of this specific moment. The opening trumpet lines can’t help but feel a little mournful and ephemeral, and the tone, though certainly powerful, pulls something close to longing from the listener. The song is meant to feel like a reassurance, with the purposeful repetition and a grounding sense of certainty. This song showcases Orson Wilds at both their gentlest and likely their strongest. They described these acoustic tracks as “If the power ever went out in the venue this is what we’d be left with.” That’s so true. There’s no absence of sheer talent; if anything the subtle potency within these tracks emphasizes that this band is built on its chameleon-like ability to demand attention in any given space, whether that’s unplugged or otherwise.
That’s all intentional, as well as completely natural to Reid and Bordihn’s musicality. “Growing up being obsessed with Bright Eyes and Neutral Milk Hotel really informed my songwriting, in terms super dense and layered mixes that enable discovery on each listen. Songs where you uncover more layers the more familiar with the song you become. Both ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Mothers Daughters’ are these big bombastic productions, but underneath them are a lot of countermelodies and melodies. So we thought it would be interesting to strip away all the electricity and give the song a chance to breathe as it was written, with some of those more subtle touches taking the spotlight,” Reid said of these renditions. Those layers are on full display, and it’s easier to catch them while watching the new video for “Mothers Daughters.” There are some really beautifully subtle moments where piano riffs or choruses of vocal lines come in in a sort of blink-or-you’ll-miss-it way. There’s a lot of unsuspecting depth in these songs, and knowing to look for it is a reason why these tracks have yet to leave my rotation or my near-constant recommendations.
The band is set to release an LP later this year, and I’m buzzing over it. Orson Wilds better find their way to Philly because they’re the first band I’m seeing live once we can safely do so. Until then, check the video for “Mothers Daughters” above, and stream these two acoustic tracks below. You can keep up with the band’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter right here.