I no longer weep for the future of music.
There’s a young woman who makes just about some of the best roots rock New Jersey proudly can call its own. Her name is Emerson Woolf, and her crackerjack band are the Wishbones.
The Asbury Park-based y’alternative songstress exudes passion in both her youthful, crackly vocals, wiser-than-her-years lyrics, and her and her band’s blend of indie edge with sounds as old as old-time Appalachian.
Winner of the 2023 Makin Waves Best New Artist Award, Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones’ full-length debut album, “Everything Must Go,” is a powerfully impressive and immediate follow up to their debut EP, “Not a Good Woman,” released just six months ago. Based on the strength of those releases, as well as two stand-alone singles, the 2023 debut, “Oblivion,” and April’s outing, “Wouldn’t It Be Funny,” as well as an in-demand club buzz, it’s no surprise the band sold out their June 27 album release party on The Baronet Rooftop of The Asbury hotel. If you couldn’t get tickets, make a point of giving “Everything Must Go” a stream.
The cathartic eight-song collection kicks off with the single, “Georgetown 1999,” the first of two tracks that chronicle a strained relationship with parents. Emerson’s yodel-informed vocals heighten her vulnerability. Meanwhile, co-engineer/mixer Patrick Noon of Eightsixteen Recording Studio in Toms River demonstrates how effective he is at blending, yet keeping separate and distinct lead guitarist Jen Lopes’ angst-filled punk-tinged leads and the raw rootsy mandolin playing of Jason Portizo, who also provides exceptional banjo & accordion-like concertina and sings harmonies throughout the LP.
The band also consists of the sibling rhythm section of bassist Jacob and drummer Zack Moore, whose parts fluidly were captured by co-engineer Evan Rudenjak at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park.
On the LP’s second track, Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones have some fun with “Church Camp,” a romp about a teen who wants to escape from her institutions to hook up with her boyfriend. Then comes “Somebody still loves you, Barbara,” an energetic, hopeful pick ‘n’ strum about a failed relationship with a former fellow substance abuser.
Perhaps the standout track is “oh no/true love,” an odd exploration of a romance that is equal parts love and breakup song. The surreal opening lyrics are stunning:
“In the furnace of my mind / You race around like butterflies, And the fire licks your wings until I’ve gathered up the water to make it subside.
It doesn’t matter / What anybody says.
If the stars are meant to fall, Then let them fall and split our heads.”
The most country punk of the eight tracks, “Good Teeth,” explores demons of destructive people and their habits. Jen offers a really great Link Wray/Dick Dale-like surf bravado that perfectly spices the song’s stomping rhythms.
On “Mother Blues,” the album’s second parental perturbation, Emerson goes solo with just the crackle of her voice and the strum of her acoustic guitar, which bring her vulnerability and catharsis to their zenith. If you thought John Lennon’s “Mother” was a challenging look at mommy issues, “Mother Blues” may have it beat.
“Two Weeks Notice,” a funny lament about a budding star regretfully quitting her waitress job too soon, is followed by the rollicking French-inflected folk-punk closer, “Monsoon,” a frisky battle between freedom and sex.
After you’ve heard “Everything Must Go,” check out Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones live. If you can’t make the sold-out Baronet Rooftop, no worries. The band have a fun summer planned with shows June 29, John & Peter’s, New Hope; July 3, MOGO Summerstage, Asbury Park; July 12 and Aug. 3, Wild Air Beerworks, Asbury Park; July 20, Camp Ghost Ranch (DM Emerson on Instagram for address); Aug. 11, Bowery Electric, New York City; Aug. 16, Low Dive, Asbury Park; Aug. 30, House of Independents, Asbury Park, and Sept. 21, Westerleigh Folk Festival, Staten Island.
In the fall, Emerson will do a solo tour of South Carolina. For more, visit her on Instagram.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
