Overgrown, the recent EP by Northern Michigan-based singer-songwriter, Wilers explores authentic expression and nostalgic sentiment, in a body of work that displays his natural talent for catchy hooks and alt-rock sounds.
You may already be familiar with the work of Riley Goldsborough, having amassed a couple thousand streams under the moniker, parasol. Under the previous project, Goldsborough produced a strong body of work, work that had influences land anywhere between the soft-rock of Cavetown, and the alt-hip-hop of Twenty One Pilots. There was a lot going on, but it was nothing if not fun.
On the Wilers project, Goldsborough has stepped back, streamlined a sound, and made his strongest body of work to date. ‘Hear Me Out’, a song that sits in between classic emo and dreamy slowcore, is gorgeous. It is a call to everyone who feels isolated; according to the artist, a song that, “attempt[s] to poetically explain the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness, being an outsider, and calling out to anyone who might be listening.” It is a lovely sentiment, one that is translated well. ‘The Bar’, is the arena for which Goldsborough really demonstrates his vocal ability – he is a very strong singer, one that is for sure bolstered by years of nourishing his craft. ‘Turnover’ sounds like the love-child of DIIV’s, ‘Blankenship’ and Alex G’s, ‘Advice’. It’s upbeat and minimal; again, showcasing Goldsborough’s found confidence after years of devoting so much of himself to his music. The title track finishes the EP: an ethereal acoustic moment, before launching into an emotionally scuzzy landscape, then returning to where it came from. This song, out of them all, is a testament to what is possible when you only have your immediate surroundings to work with – not only is Goldsborough a clearly competent singer-songwriter, but he is a strong producer; the entire EP displays some of the cleanest DIY production I have ever heard.
On Overgrown, as Wilers, Riley Goldsborough has produced his best work to date. The sound of the EP is the sound of an artist truly coming into his own – the songs are consistently strong, the production never falters, and the emotional clarity is something to be admired. If you are a fan of alternative indie-rock, then I cannot recommend enough, Overgrown by Wilers.
Written by Callum Foulds
