William Wild
Steady Now
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
William Wild is the moniker of young folk, Americana musician, Garrett Sale. Steady Now opens with the mellow track titled “Sleep Talk”. The song is filled with a gentle piano and guitar carrying all the signature attributes of an up-and-coming folk/Americana artist.
One could compare William Wild to the likes of singer/songwriters Joseph Arthur and Johnathan Rice when listening to tracks like “Sleep Talk.” On “Sleep Talk,” Sale sings about talking in his sleep and dreaming about his significant other. I’ve been talking in my sleep / I’ve been wondering what it means / I’ve been wondering why I never saw the dawn / I’ve been dreaming you were here / I’ve been seeing things unclear.
He goes onto to sing sweetly to his significant other in the chorus: “Open up your eyes / Take a look in mine / Telling you I’m never going to leave / Even when you run / Like a bullet shot out a gun / I’m gonna let you know where you need to be.”
“Morning” is an ode to the transition from the darkness disappearing as the sun appears over the horizon. I can see the sun / I can see the day / Crawling closer as the night / Fades away / I can see the light / Shining down on me / Oh Lord I better go / Back to sleep / Every morning I / Get so confused / Oh what I’m suppose to do.
“When I’ve Been Gone” is a heart wrenching story about Sale’s last interactions with his father two days before he passed away on the streets from addiction and being homeless for five years.
“Come on son / Help me out / It’s cold out here / You’re all I’ve got / Come on son / Help me out / Come on son / I’m getting tired / I feel the blame / I feel the fire / Come on son / I’m getting tired / I’m getting tired / Of playing the game / I’m getting tired of feeling the shame.”
The lyrics illustrate how his father reaches out to Sale in a desperate attempt for help and how the addiction and living on the streets have taken over his life.
Sale is able to sing so eloquently about life in a way that affects the listener and evokes emotion. The quiet strum of the guitar and piano works well with such a mellow set of songs perfect for a relaxing Saturday.
Rating: Listenable
