The Wilder Blue might just be the most underrated band in country music.
The five-piece Texas band fronted by longtime troubadour Zane Williams has been making waves throughout the country music industry since the release of their debut album Hill Country in 2020, eventually catching the eye of superstar Luke Combs, whom they have been on the road with opening his stadium shows all summer, and recently having signed with his management group Make Wake Artists. They’ve garnered plenty of positive press, millions of streams, and a steadily growing fan base in their four years together, yet The Wilder Blue still doesn’t seem to be talked about nearly as much as they should be.
With a three album catalog of unique music highlighted by some of the best harmonies in country music, captivating lyricism, and a diverse sound that is an amalgam of americana, bluegrass, soul, and honky-tonk music with an overall feel that leaves the listener nostalgic of the country music greats that carried the genre’s torch in each era before them, The Wilder Blue has something for fans of any area of country music, and the proof is in the music.
Following their aforementioned debut album as well as 2022’s self-titled The Wilder Blue and 2023’s Super Natural, which included features from both Combs and Brent Cobb, the group is already well on their way to releasing their fourth record with three singles having been released since April, including their brand new track “Pass it on Down” which dropped this past Friday.
A catchy country tune with a big picture outlook on the impact each and everyone of us can have on the world and the way we leave it for the next generation, The Wilder Blue continue to shed valuable perspective in a sonically mesmerizing manner that every single country music fan out their should be aware of. Upon the release of their latest single, the outfit provided some brief context behind this song in a post made to their Instagram.
“‘Pass it on Down’ is out now – Everything we care about has to be handed down to each successive generation with patience, hard work, and discipline or it risks being lost and forgotten. This song is a reflection of that. Hope y’all enjoy.”
Listen to “Pass it on Down” here:
“Well you don’t have to be a professor, or a fired up preacher man
It’s OK, you can show ’em every day in little ways anybody can understand
Show ’em hard work, help ’em through the hurt, and teach ’em what keeps you sane
Remember my friend, in the end we’re all just another link in the chain”
The Wilder Blue is led by frontman Zane Williams, who following an admirable solo career on the Texas scene formed the band alongside lead guitarist Paul Eason. The remainder of the band is comprise of Sean Rodriguez on bass, drummer Lyndon Hughes, and multi-instrumentalist Andy Rogers. Together, these guys bring a fresh take on a classic country music sound and sure aren’t afraid to rock and roll a little bit.
Williams, who is responsible for the majority of the band’s songwriting, released eight solo albums between 2006 and 2019, and as a result, already had a strong individual following as a respected and experienced songwriter. Initially teaming up with Eason in 2019 after the release of his last solo album to bring the idea of The Wilder Blue to life, Williams brings top tier songwriting to the table and the band he and Eason formed around it provides the perfect sound to back it up.
If you like what you’ve heard thus far, check out the band’s other recent releases as well. While I don’t believe the details surrounding their new album have been confirmed yet, The Wilder Blue’s next project is already off to a steaming hot start.
“Still in the Runnin'”
“I’m Your Man”
