The Wayfarer Incident is a band with a focus on creating music that blurs the lines between a wide variety of styles, including hard rock, alternative, and even vintage-inspired rock'n'roll. From The Doors to The Beatles, anything goes. The group has recently released a new self-titled LP, which features 10 songs. Each track feels like an introduction to the wide variety of influences that make the band so special, and it is an opportunity for the group to explore something different. The first song is named You, and it begins with a blues rock guitar part which immediately sets the mood for what’s about to come. This is a very energetic and catchy introduction that immediately highlights the groove of the band and the heavy swagger that makes their music so timeless and dynamic. This is the sound of musicians playing together and not something that’s overly compressed or polished in a recording studio. The realness is what makes this record special, and this first song is a perfect example of that. The following track, The Director, kicks it up a notch with an even harder riff in a faster tempo. The combination of groovy drums and rocking guitars is one of the hallmarks of this album, and it defines the sound of the band. The third song, The Average Exception, is yet another example of this. However, this song takes a more mellow approach by exploring somewhat of a swing rhythm on the drums and a more crunchy tone on the guitars. The sound is reminiscent of 60s Merseybeat, which actually is the music scene where bands like The Beatles came from originally in Liverpool, England. The sound is timeless and very special because it feels authentic to the age they’re referencing, but there’s still somewhat of a contemporary twist that makes the band feel genuine and not just a group that’s trying to cash in on nostalgia. As a result, the song is very enjoyable and organic, and it fits the album perfectly. Song number four, Trespasses, is another exploration of old-school rock and roll infused with blues and even with a touch of 70s metal. Fans of artists like Motörhead or Steppenwolf might connect with this one, especially because of the unique synergy between the rhythm section and the guitar parts. Song number five, Save, is immediately distinctive because of its rock ballad vibe. The percussion actually gives a little bit of a Phil Spector vibe, especially the tambourines and the beautiful roominess of the rhythm section overall. This is a timeless ballad with a psychedelic twist and a strong 60s flavor. Song number six is titled Bad Condition. It begins with some guitar feedback and launches into a fuzzy riff that is somewhat reminiscent of a Jimi Hendrix guitar freakout. However, there’s almost an early punk rock energy to this riff as the drums and vocals come in, reminiscent of Johnny Thunders or perhaps even the Sex Pistols or Jim Carroll, among others. There’s a primal, visceral blend of energy that makes the song so hard-hitting and explosive, and it’s definitely one of the highlights on the album, especially for people who like a more immediate and punchy approach. The seventh song, Beginning, is amazing because of its jangly clean guitar tones and minimalistic approach to rhythm and melody. The harmonies are truly stunning, perfectly capturing the sound of the 60s. Funny enough, I could totally imagine a band like Nirvana or Kurt Cobain singing a song like this. He was a huge fan of 60s music, and you can definitely hear some of that influence on Nirvana tracks like About a Girl. This song feels like a contemporary take on 60s music, and it really works in context with the album. The following number is a track titled Immortal Fate. This is a relatively short track, clocking in at under two minutes. However, it packs a lot of punch with its beautiful acoustic guitar melody. The sound of the guitar is compressed and bright, with a strong focus on highlighting the strumming rhythm that accompanies the vocals. Another nod at how records used to be made when everything was a little bit more lively and organic. This is a purely acoustic track, and it feels like a nice break from the rest of the full-band songs, allowing the album to breathe and gain even more dynamics. Song number nine, My Circumpunct, is another acoustic track, and it’s a totally unique number. At first, it begins as a traditional guitar-and-vocals song, but somewhere in the middle it actually includes a phenomenal instrumental bridge where the guitar work is astonishingly proficient and musical, with some cool melodies and fast tremolo picking that gives it an almost surfy vibe. The song ends with the track Jam 2 (Birthday), which, as the title might imply, actually feels like an impromptu jam session. The spontaneity of this song is truly phenomenal because it actually highlights the natural instincts of the band, and it reminds us that there are real musicians behind the instruments, playing together in a room, bouncing off of each other’s creativity to create something that’s alive and exciting. This album is not the only release from The Wayfarer Incident, as there is much more music out there. For instance, the single Dead Metal is a perfect example of the band’s hard-hitting dynamics, while the side project Delayed Sessions is an opportunity to push things even further in a more experimental direction. It highlights the group’s willingness to always think outside the box.