Wildstreet And The Weight Of What Remains
Near enough to two decades, Wildstreet have kept afloat a style of hard rock that holds firm on volume, melody, and raw honesty. Born from the sprawl of New York City, a totally dysfunctional metropolis, Wildstreet have never backed down from a trend, let alone toned down what they are for a more palatable mainstream lexicon. What appears on the surface to be a return of a long-dormant force with a new single, Ill Follow, no wait, with a new single When Its Gone coming out this winter is something far more of a reaffirmation of what theyve always been about.
When Its Gone marks the first time the current lineup of Wildstreet has been captured on record, and each detail of it brings that notion of arrival with it. "When Its Gone" presents a balladic sense from the off, giving the space to breathe around the more emotive aspects before gradually opening up into something sprawling and confident. It's a pure arena rock ballad, through and through, and it's one that comes from a sense of restraint and a lack of fanfare. The guitars build and swell rather than crash and scream, the drums are confident and authoritative but never showy or excess-filled, and the vocals are right up front and center and reflect a sense of contemplation that feels wholly earned. There's no sense of nostalgia for its own sake here. There's a band peering back that takes only a moment to grasp where it is now.
The frontman, Eric Jayk, has been the sonic cornerstone of Wildstreet all along, and it's especially evident in the band's new work. The song, written in conjunction with Todd Long, started as a basic demo track that was then reworked in production to reflect the artistic vision of the band members. The result aims to recall the essence of their initial debut in 2009, coupled with the energy of the band's present lineup.
It's the juxtaposition that drives the meaning in 'When It's Gone.' It's a sound that's unmistakable yet not dated in the process, nor overly polished to the point of standing in opposition to what makes it interesting.
Recording itself is a testament to Wildstreet’s authenticity. "Recording the band's drums was done in New York City at Virtue and Vice Studios, giving the song a tangible quality—something you can feel as much as hear." The drummer, Dylan David, is deliberate and powerful, keeping the song grounded while also allowing it to breathe on its own terms. "Producer and frequent collaborator Kyle Kelso was on hand to provide editing and mixing, as well as songwriting, with a sure touch that keeps the song's earthy qualities in mind," keeping a full and rich quality in the song, with plenty of room for all of the instruments to shine through.
The history of Wildstreet also helps to put this situation into perspective. With all sorts of acts, from hard rock veterans to outsiders, they have built up a core group of fans through their non-stop touring schedule and refusal to compromise their sound. This year alone, they have appeared with legends on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, and their music has been featured on the Peacemaker series on HBO Max. While recording in every corner of the globe, they somehow managed to keep themselves together, and this is reflected in this release.
Thus, the moment and the scale of “When Its Gone” are what give this music resonance, but it is the sincerity that gives this music real power. There is nothing fancy occurring in these lyrics, simply exploration of absence, consequence, and the acknowledgment of what is often too late to realize. “Jayk sings these lyrics without fanfare, as though trusting in the ability of this music to achieve whatever it is supposed to do. Guitar solos erupt with purpose—to rock, but without indulgence.” As Wildstreet readies for tour dates in Canada, an anniversary tour in Europe, and additional recording sessions, "When Its Gone" feels like a turning point. It marks the end of one era and the beginning of another, a reminder as to why this particular group of musicians has been around so long. Wildstreet has no use for reinvention as a form of spectacle. Wildstreet has a passion for music that lasts, a passion for live performances, a passion for recording that feels alive. Within a world of hard rock that often rests upon either the overly polished or the overtly nostalgic, Wildstreet find themselves in a true middle ground. Where "It’s Gone" proves that the size of an arena sound can still equate to a sense of the personal, and experience, when combined with conviction, remains rock music at its best.
