Wild Flag release Romance video

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Today Wild Flag released their video for Romance, a song from their self-titled debut album out on September 13. The album happens to be highly anticipated, which is of course hardly surprising for a band consisting of Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony on vocals and guitars, Rebecca Cole on keyboards and backing vocals, and Janet Weiss on drums and backing vocals. But this is not simply because of their names, or their background in bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and The Minders. As collaborators in a variety of projects, and members of bands who have toured together, they share a common musical culture and aesthetic. The formation of Wild Flag may thus be seen as a new reconfiguration in the field of alternative rock music; and most of all,  it is the emergence of a gifted band, rather than simply an array of gifted musicians. It seems to me that it is this element of collectivity that gives their music such an edge. Janet Weiss has actually addressed their formation in an SXSW interview as follows:

I think the intent was to be a band […] I think we started out with the idea of what would be the ideal band we would want to be in, who do we want to play with after all these years, I think we just wanted a dream band. Of course we wanted to write some music and play together, and see how it went, and try things out, but I think the intent was definitely to be a band, a band that’s gonna tour and make records, and be equals, and respect each other, like all the important things that we’ve learned over the years.

Wild Flag - Romance from Merge Records on Vimeo.

That’s how we like

We like what we like
That’s how we like
We love which is you
We’ve got an ear
An ear for what’s romance
We’ve got our ears
Our ears straight on you
You watch us sing
We sing till we’re crying
We sing to free ourselves from the room
We love the sound
The sound is what found us
The sound is the love between me and you

Romance is a fine example of Wild Flag’s sound, and lyrically happens to be an eloquent way for the band to introduce themselves. Here, as well as in their numerous live performances, Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony have achieved more than the required musical balance, which nonetheless sounds totally natural; their guitars complement each other effectively while at the same time each one maintains its own distinct identity. Rebecca Cole’s keyboards are substantial and multi-functional, taking the lead as well as contributing rhythmically; and Janet Weiss’ impressive drumming is the foundation holding the band firmly together. The result is nothing less than astonishing; solid melodies, storming rhythms, and powerful as well as evocative vocals. 

Sleater-Kinney is one of my best bands of all time, while Helium’s Hole in the Ground has been a favorite of mine; and yet I was not prepared for this band. I do not mean to write a raving review, but Wild Flag does not give me much of a choice. This is such a great time to be alive.