A significant comeback from the esteemed band...
19 · 09 · 2025
Wednesday's 'Bleeds' is a diverse blend of Southern indie-rock. The latest album features songs filled with confession, introspection, humor, heartbreak, and true crime, all delivered in a fresh yet distinctive manner. 'Bleeds' emerges from an extensive tour, establishing a robust band identity, which Karly Hartzman (guitar, vocals), Zandy Chelmis (lap steel, pedal steel), Alan Miller (drums), Ethan Baechtold (bass, piano), and Jake "M.J." Lenderman (guitar) infused into the new album.
The album opens with the classic Wednesday sound in 'Reality TV Argument Bleeds', a scratchy, swaying indie track. Following this is 'Townies', a poignant song that reflects on a high school friend and the struggle to escape the judgment of ‘townies’. A highlight of the album is ‘Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)’, the second single, featuring sharp and clever lyrics like ‘You saw a pitbull puppy pissin off a balcony’. The instrumentals in this track particularly shine after the choruses, showcasing the strength of Hartzman with her powerful band. “This is what Wednesday songs are meant to sound like,” she notes. “We’ve invested a lot of time into this – and I believe we achieved that.”
The first single, ‘Elderberry Wine’, contrasts with the usual noisy, gritty indie Wednesday is known for, yet it remains an instant classic. With its sweet sound, this track portrays the sugar-coated facade of small-town life, which is not always as idyllic as it appears. The smooth pedal steel and fingerpicking illustrate that Wednesday doesn't need to rely on their typical fuzzy indie-rock. A similar vibe is found in ‘The Way Love Goes’, a slow, atmospheric track about doomed love. Lines like, ‘You have seen me angry, I know it’s not been easy, And I know it can’t always be, And that’s the way love goes’ allow Hartzman to voice her heartache while aiming to maintain the band’s dynamic after her breakup with Lenderman.
These sensitive tracks are balanced by the more intense and abrasive ‘Pick Up That Knife’ and ‘Wasp’. The penultimate single ‘Pick Up That Knife’ begins with relatable frustrations like a cracked tooth, holiday shopping, and parking issues, then erupts into a crashing chorus, akin to screaming into a pillow or breaking a plate, expressing a bubbling rage.
‘Carolina Murder Suicide’ explores the morbid fascination with true-crime stories, maintaining the album's cautious and sensitive tone. This lighter sound becomes even more impactful as the album navigates between harsh and soft, making the listening experience both unpredictable and disarming. The album concludes with ‘Gary’s II’, which starts mellow and transforms into a lively country rock anthem, wrapping up the album neatly. It encompasses all the explored themes and elements with witty lyrics, eccentric narratives, soulful steel, and melodic guitar, whether rough or gentle.
8/10
Words: Amelie Grice
Join us on WeAre8, as we delve into global cultural events. Follow Clash Magazine HERE as we joyfully traverse clubs, concerts, interviews, and photo shoots. Get behind-the-scenes glimpses and a taste of our world as the fun unfolds.
Join the Clash mailing list for the latest music, fashion, and film updates.
Two years after the wild energy of their first album, Eades comes back with a release that swaps chaos for clarity. On 'Final Sirens Call', their
New Yorkers Native Sun have released their debut album 'Concrete Language', a highly anticipated project from the emerging label TODO. Featuring
For the last thirty years, Scottish band Biffy Clyro has navigated through different styles of guitar-driven music. In their early days, this
We spoke with Alexander Schulz, the festival's founder, and consultant Frehn Hawel to look back on the last 20 years of the event in Hamburg.
Wednesday's album 'Bleeds' serves as a diverse blend of Southern indie-rock. The new release features tracks that explore themes of confession, introspection, humor, heartbreak, and true crime.