The Wldlfe
Album review by Brittany Ormiston
Your favorite band you’ve never heard of, alternative/indie band The Wldlfe, released their new album Heaven is a place, 2024 (HIAP) on August 16th. The highly anticipated album has been in the works for 2-3 years, and it certainly surpassed all expectations. Jansen Hogan, Carson Hogan, and Jack Crane have outdone themselves with these 13 tracks as listeners are given the space to cry, dance, and long for love.
The three singles released prior, ‘What If You Change?,’ ‘Turtleneck,’ and ‘Wreck My Life,’ were impeccably chosen to provide a detailed snapshot of the theme of HIAP. ‘Wreck My Life’ has officially broken the repeat button, and transports listeners back in time with its 2000s vibes. The lyrics depict the internal battle of chasing after love by diving into the deep end without a life vest, and guarding your heart in fear of getting hurt once again. This track’s sister song, ‘Here We Go Again,’ is nothing less than a banger with Jack’s enticing bass line from the get go. “Tried to let it go, I’m sorry I can’t delete it out of my head // Here we go again,” sings Carson during the chorus before shredding a wicked guitar solo that will have you questioning your existence.
To add to the madness, the guitar riff displayed throughout ‘Dizzy’ will be stuck in your head for days, months, maybe even years with how infectious it is. Jansen’s vocal inflection as he sings “missing” and “dizzy” fully encompasses how it feels to meet someone for the first time, and fall head over heels for them. The production adds to the “spinning” aspect where you are losing all sense of direction and rationality. The Wldlfe leaves infatuation in the rearview mirror during ‘Simple Math’ and the title track ‘Heaven is a place.’ The songwriting narrates what it is like to fall in love, and solely wanting to be in their presence. When you are with that special person, the rest of the world doesn’t exist. It’s just open fields, blue skies, true bliss. With the piano in the background, the outro of ‘Heaven is a place’ details when Jansen met the love of his life three years ago. The emotion behind his vocals indicates that evening is etched into his brain forever.
While love is patient and kind, the world can be malicious and overwhelming at times. The Wldlfe created “a song about aliens, a commentary on humans.” In ‘If I Became Friends With The Aliens,’ they use the metaphor about aliens to discuss how selfish and materialistic our society is, which leads to loneliness and unfulfillment. Life’s gems are not cars, clothes, or status, but unconditional relationships formed with other “like minded beings.” The honesty continues onward during ‘Write A Song About It.’ Behind the catchy melody, the songwriting discusses the unfiltered reality of being an artist in the music industry and maintaining a specific image. What happened to just being yourself, and the rest will follow?
The Wldlfe struggles with this exact mindset as they close out the album with the ultimate tear-jerker, ‘Growing Up Song.’ Enriched in nostalgia, the track is a letter written to their teenage selves about growing up and coming to terms with the changes that come with it. Drifting apart from the people and life you once knew is inevitable, and all experiences make you into the person staring back in the mirror. ‘Growing Up Song’ is cathartic, healing, and most of all encourages self-acceptance. This track was a surprise for listeners, but in the best way. The band is most looking forward to performing this track live on their A Place Where You Are tour. They will embark across North America starting on September 17th in Columbus, and wrapping up in Dallas on November 23rd. Purchase a ticket and experience heaven: a place where The Wldlfe is. <3
