Release Date: August 30, 2011
It’s not often that one can go into an album with a blind listen. It’s extremely rare, yet it can be incredibly exciting for the listener. In the case of Wise Blood’s EP, These Wings, many have no expectations or preconceived notions, so it’s safe to say it will live up to all of them.
After a few listens, it’s still difficult to have a firm grasp on how to classify Christopher Laufman’s soulful sampling and head-nodding music. He declared himself a “sample warlock.” Initial impressions might be that if The Weeknd were a 21-year-old white kid from Pittsburgh who, instead of slyly seducing every woman from here to Canada, had indie-sensibilities and wore his heart on his sleeve, all while harboring deep, dark aspirations of something more, this is the kind of music he would make.
Whatever the comparison may be, These Wings is dope.
The samples, claps and horns mixed with the falsetto shouldn’t work, but they more than do. The hypnotizing beats and thought-provoking lyrics combine for an interesting seven-track, 17-minute journey.
The EP kicks off with “Fantasize,” a short prelude for what’s to come. Laufman doesn’t waste any of the one minute and 40 seconds allotted for the track, as he goes right for the lyrical jugular. “I guess I’m looking at the sky waiting for stars to align/It gets harder to sleep when you start losing your mind … You should never trust a kid that acts like me,” is a bold opening statement. Bordering the fine line between optimism and self-deprecation, it hints to this young man’s lyrical capabilities.
On “Darlin’ You’re Sweet,” Wise Blood slows things down a little with a reversed organ sample and jagged piano keys. This sets the backdrop for a heart-breaking anthem where Laufman takes the blame for the follies of the relationship, while clearly fighting the desire to hold on and wanting to do right for the both of them. “You need someone secure, who can give you more than I know that I can. I need someone who won’t fade when I go insane and I can’t stand, don’t think that you can.”
When he gets to the “The Lion,” Laufman surprises the listener yet again. After almost convincing ears that they’ve got him pegged, he breaks out a tuba sample that accompanies a poppy, soul-clapping beat. It’s a short trip into his egotistical side, where he talks about taking over the world in a prideful manner.
“I’m shooting for the moon,” he shyly says on the last track, “Penthouse Suites,” where it’s shown, once again, that Laufman has the highest aspirations but is not sure if he can reach them. “Just let me know this life is what I deserve.”
These Wings is a solid introduction to anyone not familiar with Wise Blood and clearly enough to cleanse the palate for those fans anticipating a full-length release. None will have him pegged 100 percent, but Laufman definitely has found a home on many iPods for the foreseeable future.
Wise Blood – These Wings tracklist:
- “Fantasize”
- “Darlin’ You’re Sweet”
- “Loud Mouths”
- “I’m Losing My Mind”
- “Nosferatu”
- “The Lion”
- “Penthouse Suites”
