Album Review: Ryan Edward Wolf — “Sea Glass” (2023)
This special album review, my first in almost three years, is an exclusive and rarity for me. Prior to now, I’d only ever written about major label releases days or weeks after the public had heard them, but when my good friend Ryan asked me to preview and discuss his newest offering Sea Glass before its September 26th reveal, I was happy and honored to oblige his request. Listening to and talking about this upcoming record was a breeze. I’ve known Ryan’s music and its variety of outlets for many years now, and Sea Glass reaches new personal, experimental, and collaborative heights.
Chances are high that you’ve seen Ryan’s name on a concert bill or have heard his music in some variety over the last decade. He’s played sets all over the Livingston and McLean counties, whether he’s been part of a band (Fountain St. Band, Dead Ends, etc.) or under a solo moniker, and has dabbled in a tally of genres, from hip-hop to hard rock and folk. After relocating to the Bloomington-Normal area in the past year, he’s been as active as ever, both with his music production and his live performances. Sea Glass, due out in just under four weeks, will be his first LP out since the seven heartfelt folk tracks that comprised last year’s No Place To Be. When I spoke to Ryan about the inspiration behind Sea Glass, the album cover, featuring a solitary crab photographed on a Virginia beach, says it all. It’s a record about love and the natural repercussions of it.
My favorite thing about Sea Glass has to be how it’s easily the most successfully adventurous album of Ryan’s to date. A multitude of reasons attribute to this, from the more confessional songwriting to the advanced production featured throughout, but the biggest home run in my book is the excellent list of teammates he includes on all nine songs. Skilled guitar players Alex Girard (of NoRobot), TyJon Charlie (of The Unemployed Architects), Scott Boyer (of Melody Trucks), Jay Thomason (of Hot Sauce Universe), and Kyle Yap are peppered throughout with lovely solos to offer into your eardrums. The guest vocalists are a vital piece of the puzzle too. Chloe Alexander, Jenae Thomason (of Hot Sauce Universe), Mattie May (of Front Street Collective), Lo Tharp (of The Unemployed Architects), and Ashley Helvie provide lovely melodies and harmonies on nearly every song. Together, the instrumental and vocal features make Ryan’s music as playful and full-bodied as ever. I just love the fact that all of these talented local artists contribute equally for the whole ride. Not only does it give strength to an already powerful scene that deserves much more credit than it receives, but it boosts every song with feelings of warmth and wistfulness. If you’re unaware of any names before listening to the cinematic Sea Glass, you will not soon forget them after the album ends.
Listening to artists that you don’t know personally is, of course, very cool, but there is something extra special about your friends making art, sharing it with you, and feeling a great sense of pride in it. I’d like to say thanks to Ryan for gifting me a sneak peek copy of his newest record — which you should certainly check out. Sea Glass was born from a twenty hour train ride and a reflection of three years of traveling the United States. Mixed and mastered at Eclipse Studios in nearby Bloomington with the watchful eye of Erik Nelson, it will hit streaming services all over on September 26th, and if you’re as lucky as I am, you might be able to snag a physical copy too. I hope you enjoy!
