The Wanderlust EP from Windsor Drive sounds like the ‘80s gone wrong. The group hasn’t released new music in the last two years, and I think it should’ve stayed that way. Their keyboard-based jams are full of energy, but sometimes passion isn’t enough. The first song, “Wish Me Well” comes complete with cheesy keyboard beats and lyrics. “So wish me well, at least I have a story to tell/When it’s time to finally set sail…” Picture a music video from The Ravyns (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) in the background, and you’ve got it right. The second song is a touch less annoying, but only due to the catchy chorus and the quality of vocalist Kipp Wilde’s voice.
“I Don’t Feel It” has an MGMT vibe to it. The more modern feel is a good attempt at grabbing fans, but the ‘80s are still calling, and they’re asking for their beats back. After this, I didn’t think it could get any worse. I was proven wrong. “Impossibly” is impossible to listen to. Its slow start doesn’t do much to keep your interest. The lyrics are mediocre yet again. Wilde sings, “It’s you, and me, impossibly…” over and over again. To end this album, “Wide Eyed At Midnight” sounds as if it should be playing at a high school prom. The vocals are fine, but the keyboard is just too repetitive and gives the song an amateur feel.
Two of the band’s older releases were much more relatable, and in turn, likeable. Pop rock seems to be the way to go for these gentlemen. This album is similar to their very first EP, Under The Weather. The vocals are the only thing that saves this record from being completely awful. Wilde has such a smooth tone to his voice that you are relatively distracted from the retro keyboard. Without him, listeners wouldn’t go past the first track.
In A Word: Outdated
