Girl at the Rock Shows

It’s a gloomy and rainy Wednesday up here in Minneapolis and although I’ve been getting a lot done today, I am in the need of some music to help soundtrack what is sure to be an insane afternoon when all I want to do is take a nap and read a book. Thankfully, today marks the realse of Woz’s ‘At The Gulf’ EP. Let’s take a listen and see if this could be the music I need to help get me through the rest of the day.

This five-song EP kicks off with “Gulf”. At just under four minutes long, this is the longest track on album which can sometimes be a bold move in my mind. I typically like short songs to kick off a release just because you can quickly decide if the album is going to be for you or not. Thankfully, even though long, I instantly new that this EP was going to be just what I wanted. Woz’s sound is a bit lo-fi with an indie-rock vibe. Dylan ‘Woz’ Wozniak’s vocals are very raw while having a polished value to them that made this opener feel like a super perfect song for anyone and everyone. Depending on your mood, this could be an uplifting track or one that helps youe express any hidden feelings you be trying to surpress. I love when a song can do this and I hope this is an element that reigns supreme throughout all five tracks.

“Gilgo Beach” continue with that perfect balance I got in “Gulf” but it brings a more grungey vibe to the album which I found perfectly infectious. There’s an undeniable sense of emotional power in this song that I didn’t quite get as heavily in the opening track but truly adored. Although I mention a bit of a more grunge inspriation in this track, there’s still an undeniable beauty to the laid back instrumentation and Dylan’s signature vocal style. There are moments throughout this track where I was getting straight up commercialized pop vibes but it would be a huge stretch to call anything about this song “commercial”. Slow and steady is the name of the game for this one but don’t mistake that for any lack of energy or power.

The third track on this album (“Child Support”) happens to be Woz’s single that came out before the album and, within just a few seconds I understood why. Again, Woz’s signature sound reigns supreme throughout this track but there’s a little bit of a 90’s vibe that radiates throughout this track that, as a 90’s baby, I really related to. The song is bouncy and catchy with a little bit of a “sun on your skin” feeling but, when you dig into the words of this track, you realize that this track is not as positive as it may come off to be. If you have been reading my reviews for some time, you know that I love when songs do this and thast made this song, “Child Support” my favorite on the album.

“Best Years” continues with the infectious beat laid out in “Child Support” and brings a more stereotypical indie-rock vibe to this album but still, I wouldn’t call this a “typical” track. Again, like in previous tracks, I found myself honed in on Woz’s vocals and words. Not only is the tone of his vocals perfect and highly polished but the words he is singing hit hard. Much like “Gulf”, this song could hit you in many different ways but, thanfully, right now, this song hit me in the perfect motivational way that I had been hoping for. It has a driving energy to it that is inescapable.

Things slow down for the final track, “Pennsylvania”. With a bit more of a lullaby vibe to the beginning, I loved the way this final track showed a more tender side of Woz and Dylan’s vocals. Although throughout this EP you hear his singer-songwriter styled vocals filled with truth and rawness, I just really loved how it was all laid out in this track. It’s definitely a bit more slow moving than the rest of the album which is a bold way to end an EP but I loved how it grew ad grew without ever really hitting a giant climax as to distract you from the beauty. The way the track just fades out is the icing on the cake. Although it’s definitely an ending, it made me want to go back and listen to the entire release all over again.

I needed something a little chill yet something full of life and energy to help get me through the rest of my Wedneday and that’s exactly what I got from ‘At The Gulf’ by Woz. Check it out and enjoy!

My Favorite Track(s): “Child Support”

For Fans Of: Singer-Songwriter Styled Music With a Grunge Influence; Chill Yet Energetic Anthemic Tracks

Mosh-ability: 2 out of 10

What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie stalked around in the kitchen looking for food; Autumn chriped at birds through the front window

How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 6.7 out of 10

My Overall Rating: 7.2 out of 10

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