Just short of three months after the release of their highly praised third album, Never Better, Canadian indie trio Wild Rivers is back with the debut of a follow-up companion record entitled Better Now. Recorded at the same time as their July release, and with the same number of tracks, Better Now is the other side to Never Better (which cleverly concludes with a 49-second interlude track), where Wild Rivers grapples with the same complex, puzzling unknowns of early adulthood as before, from a new perspective.
"On the first record, the songs contain raw, absolute, and instinctual feelings. In many ways, Better Now is the afterglow of this," the band shared, continuing, "We’re reflecting and understanding that relationships change over time. Complicated situations can be just that, complicated. Feelings can remain unresolved. If the first record is bright and bold, this one is the softer gradients in between; the sunrises and the sunsets. Both projects make up the full spectrum of who we are."
Wilds Rivers began their story in Toronto, Canada, where Devan Glover [vocals] and Khalid Yassein [vocals, guitar, keys] first connected while attending the same university. Adding multi-instrumentalist Andrew Oliver [lead guitar, synths] into the mix, Wild Rivers evolved from a singer/songwriter project into a certifiable indie folk band with a more full-bodied sound. Their self-titled debut was released in 2016 and, including Better Now, they've since released three additional albums, as well as two EPs.
Diving into Better Now, the LP opens with a pensive track called "What Kind of Song," followed by the soft and sweet "Settle Down." Previously released as the record's lead single, "What Kind of Song" seems to sonically pick up where Never Better left off with "Morongo Valley (Interlude)," as it phases in from a tune that could almost be the actual final notes from the previous album's closer. Lyrically, "What Kind of Song" reflects on the good, bad, and ugly of a relationship, questioning if being tied to this person has caused more harm than good. Alternatively, on "Settle Down," the feelings of uncertainty seem to wash away under rich melodies and dulcet croons about falling in love and settling down.
The official music video for "What Kind of Song," the lead single & opening track on Wild Rivers' new album, Better Now.
Next up on Better Now is, "Freezing," followed by "I Want Everything," and then "I Will If You Will." Mournful and melancholic, yet hauntingly beautiful, "Freezing" intensifies the emotional vulnerability displayed on Better Now with melodic vocals supported by soft acoustic guitar strums and delicate keys. The vibe doesn't stay down for long though, as Wild Rivers kicks the energy back up with "I Want Everything," a defiant song all about taking a stand for what you deserve. Fueled by mindful hesitance with lines such as, "So please quit calling / I’m on the edge and falling" and "And I don’t wanna die on this hill / But I will, if you will," the song "I Will If You Will" touches on falling in love again after being previously burned, and whether it'll be worth it.
As Better Now nears the end of its eight-song tracklist, "What If It's Us," plays and then "Simp Song," before finally, the album's closer, "Still the One." The record once again takes a turn for the emotionally heavy side on "What If It's Us," with soft, compelling vocal harmonies that are backed by a beautiful and stirring piano melody. Further adding to the heavy-hearted ambiance is "Simp Song," a soft, passionate tune about sacrificing everything for the one you love, even if it's yourself. Better Now ends on a much more upbeat note, however, with "Still the One." Coming to terms and being okay with the idea that some things in life just aren't meant to be, the album's closing track overflows with a sense of acceptance and personal growth.
Having now released two stellar albums with only a handful of months between them, 2024 has been an extraordinary year for Wild Rivers. And with a couple of weeks worth of shows still to come, including a sold-out hometown one in Toronto on December 6th, it's safe to say the indie trio has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon; it can only get even better from here.
Stream Better Now by Wild Rivers on Spotify.
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