About

The music on Wilderness is typically understated Americana, with acoustic instruments--banjo, piano, mandolin, guitar--doing much of the heavy lifting. Most of these songs move at a slow burn, and the languid pace is bound to test the patience of some listeners, particularly those new to the band (I grew frustrated myself at certain points). But stick with it: The subtle beauty of these songs reveals itself gradually, over the course of repeated listens.

Brett and Rennie have been making music together as the Handsome Family for two decades now, and Wilderness shows that their collaboration remains as vital as ever. The album moves slowly, yes, but it’s never boring, and the songs once again open doors to a strange and fascinating new world. – Pop Matters