Why Bonnie – ‘Wish On The Bone’ album review: a timelessly compelling listen
THE SKINNY: Contemporary audiences haven’t been the kindest regarding the evolution of country music. Between the traditional, whiskey-soaked sounds of Willie Nelson and the queer-veiled delivery of Orville Peck, most criticisms tend to centre around the more basic qualities of its sound rather than the different nuances of each artist and the significance of their backgrounds.
However, to shoehorn Why Bonnie into a category as definitive as country almost feels reductive, given their status as one of the most exciting melodic blends of late. Comprising Blair Howerton, Chance Williams, and Josh Malett, Why Bonnie built its foundation in country but also adopted elements of indie, alternative, shoegaze and pop, resulting in a dizzyingly sweet concoction of dark and light; the perfect sound to sink your teeth into if you’ve ever felt simultaneously energised and disillusioned.
From the moment you begin listening to the album’s titular track, it’s clear that this sound beckons an all-consuming experience, the arrangements appearing larger than simple deduction as they traipse into the visceral. The skilled wordplay then oscillates between soft and delicate musings to more hard-hitting realisations, a staple of Why Bonnie’s musicianship, as you glide effortlessly through concepts that are presented with a deft touch.
Wish On The Bone is a pleasant surprise, not just because of its excellence but also because of the seamless way it melds varying sensibilities. From traditional country to rock and featherlight pop melodies, the album effortlessly blends these elements, creating a timelessly compelling listen anchored by Howerton’s gorgeous vocals.
For fans of: Listening to Wolf Alice while wearing cowboy boots.
A concluding comment from a die-hard country fan currently sipping on bourbon at a dive bar in Texas: “Not bad, actually.”
Wish On The Bone track by track:
Release Date: August 30th | Producer: Blair Howerton & Jonathan Schenke | Label: Fire Talk
‘Wish On The Bone’: Starting strong with explosive musical arrangements that feel almost entirely like a classic rock song, ‘Wish On The Bone’ navigates loss and hope, Why Bonnie’s lessons about the fickleness of optimism (“Sometimes it’s over / Before it gets started”) blanketed beautifully by an endearingly unique melody. [4/5]
‘Dotted Line’: Another indie-leaning, albeit more laid-back track, ‘Dotted Line’ offers more than just a taste of Why Bonnie’s excellence as a genre-blending trailblazer, Howerton’s vocals delicately touching the shoegaze arena before pulling back to offer something much more inexplicably alluring. [3/5]
‘Rhyme or Reason’: The skilled wordplay Why Bonnie employs throughout the album with songs like ‘Rhyme or Reason’ shows that they have masterfully struck the balance between poetic grandeur and effortless lamentation. [3.5/5]
‘Fake Out’: The track that arguably started it all, ‘Fake Out’ starts softly before breaking you into a more inescapable realm of insatiable notes. What tops it all off is the almost synthetic sounds of Howerton’s vocals and the unapologetic guitar licks as they lead you into the Wolf Alice-esque chorus. [4/5]
‘Headlight Sun’: One of the album highlights, ‘Headlight Sun’ is biting yet romantic, overwhelmingly gorgeous in a way that almost urges you to pause it at various moments as you digest what you’ve just heard, eager to poise yourself for the unexpected moments of musical excellence that are yet to come. [4.5/5]
‘Green Things’: A short but sweet entry, ‘Green Things’ doesn’t need to be any longer than its two-and-a-half minute run time, as it gives much more than can be held in such a small bite-sized piece. It also demonstrates Why Bonnie’s adeptness at crafting thought-provoking lyrics such as, “You were just so sweet to me / The sugar blacked me out.” [3.5/5]
‘All The Money’: Despite the seemingly heavy subject matter that permeates the whole album, Why Bonnie always appears to keep it light enough to beckon greater resonance. Even as the album’s most haunting track, ‘All The Money’ entices in ways you least expect. [3/5]
‘Peppermint’: Injected with Why Bonnie’s more rock-leaning, post-punk elements, ‘Peppermint’ pulls you in immediately with its heady guitar riff, the additional arrangements that appear throughout feeling at times overwhelming but rarely ever too much. [3/5]
‘Three Big Moons’: As the most country aspect of the record, ‘Three Big Moons’ feels entirely in its place, Howerton’s vocals remaining loyal to the genre while adding a contemporary twist. “Houston, we have a problem / So many that I just can’t solve them,” she sings, the slight comedic element giving the song an additional layer that warrants greater enjoyment. [4/5]
‘Weather Song’: A song that catches the often despairing feeling of fighting to struggle to see eye-to-eye with someone, ‘Weather Song’ relinquishes love to the elements, the vocals and tragic guitar chords feeling a lot like being swept up in a perfect storm. [3.5/5]
‘I Took the Shot’: This track also uses weather-like imagery alongside its stream of love-scorned thoughts, but this time it all feels a lot more raw and honest, like the lyrics are coming the second that Howerton thinks of them. [3.5/5]
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.