With “Elderberry Wine,” the Asheville, NC, alt-rock band Wednesday mark their first new release since the 2023 critically acclaimed album Rat Saw God. A lot has happened since then in the indie music world and “Elderberry Wine” sees Wednesday head in a softer, more melodic direction.
Wednesday is shifting gears a little bit after the announcement that guitarist/vocalist Jake Lenderman would continue to record with Wednesday but no longer be a part of their touring band. This comes on the heels of the explosion of popularity of MJ Lenderman, Jake’s project which is just as prolific as Wednesday at this point.
After the little shakeup, it seems fitting that Wednesday aim for a more stripped-back, wholesome approach on their new track. With lead singer/guitarist Karly Hartzman’s quirky, scrapbooky lyrics, nostalgic country tones are combined with hypermodern references in seamless continuity. The refrain echoes “But everybody gets along just fine / Cause the champagne tastes like elderberry wine,” and as the band plays, we see scenes of the neighborhood dive, and in true Southern fashion the liquor is flowing as amiability unfolds with a strong sense of community.
The track feels like returning home and drinking on the porch with friends without a care in the world. Underneath, there is a sense of loss, a sense of longing. But what’s life without the simultaneous nature of powerfully conflicting emotions that nostalgia can invoke?
The band also performed on The Late Show with Steven Colbert on May 21. Listen to “Elderberry Wine” and watch the music video below.
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