On the wings of her time as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice, indie folk singer-songwriter Alexa Wildish continues to impress.
Singing cover songs during her time on the show revealed a rare knack for transforming existing music into her own style, and also intertwining messages about her own story. With any cover, perhaps the toughest part is crafting a rendition that is distinguishable from the original, yet inventive enough to earn its own place in the infinite music landscape.
Wildish’s latest project, a six-track EP of cover songs titled After Love, pays homage to popular songs by artists from an array of genres. Though while of course not written by her, the effortless way she showcases each track leaves listeners feeling as though they were her own.
Released September 27th, 2024, this imaginative yet sensitive collection compiles the work of varying voices like Cher, Tom Petty, Billie Eilish, Keith Whitley, Brandi Carlile, and Fleetwood Mac. Considering the sole fact she was accepted to be on The Voice is indicative of her powerhouse vocals, which are the cornerstone of her entrancing sound. Pure passion is evident in every note sung by Wildish, whose voice employs a rare sincerity and clarity. For fans of these artists and of course fans of her own, her take on these classics is sure to tug at the heart strings.
Opening with a folk n’ country-tinged spin on Cher’s “Believe,” Wildish brings a gentle acoustic melody that slows things down. With her characteristic note of sweet and tenderness, her deeply emotional vocals maintain the integrity of this iconic 1998 track. With delicate precision, she does right by Cher and her own artistry, opening the EP with a heavy-hitter from the jump. Her epic performance of this track on The Voice left the judges in awe.
As requested by fans who followed her stint on The Voice (and my own personal favorite of the six tracks), Wildish included her take on Billie Eilish’s “everything i wanted.” Haunting from the first note to the final, echoing harmonies are paired with her impeccable vocal control. Whether you’re a Billie fan or not, you cannot deny that Wildish’s voice is nothing less than ethereal.
Another notable track comes off of an iconic now 30-year old album, Wildflowers, from the late great Tom Petty. Wildish delivers her take on “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” with this one channeling more of a folk-rock vibe, delivering a bit more punch in the instrumentation in particular. Though it lacks Petty’s harmonica, Wildish’s band delivers some sweeping guitar twang to bring out the Americana/country flair, with a dash of femininity and edginess.
The EP closes with “Songbird,” a Fleetwood Mac tribute. This one is sure to be a tear-jerker, as her crystalline notes sail like birds in a gentle breeze, each one flowing effortlessly into another. A particularly special number, this is the one which landed Wildish her spot on The Voice.
Though raised in Southern California horse country, Wildish now lives in Lyons, Colorado. At the age of seven, she began studying classical voice, a pursuit that carried her through her teenage years. It seemed she was headed for a career in musical theater, until her viewing of a performance by The Wailin’ Jennys veered her in a different direction. Americana music soon became the guide by which her career aspirations soared.
Like many artists, her dreams were placed on hold during the 2020 pandemic, yet her 2023 appearance on The Voice came during a necessary period of self-discovery that has since shaped the way her music is produced. A celebration of After Love will take place at Swallow Hill Music in Denver, Colorado tomorrow, October 4th, 2024. It will feature Courtney Hartman with special guest Russell Durham, and fellow The Voice alumnus Lennon VanderDoes.
Featured photo by Jacob Blumberg
