When a musician releases an album or EP, sometimes it tells a story. Each track can be its own chapter or entry, even if it may seem fragmented or the tracks are unfamiliar with one another. Sam Bergquist’s “Wiser Than” EP has tracks that walk a familiar road but in their own way, telling a soul-searching story that comes straight from the heart.
“Do Things Different” starts it off. The smooth acoustic guitar and harmonica set up a great mood for the vocals of Sam Bergquist. His voice is powerful, with a raspy charm that hits hard when it’s being pulled up from the heart. The bassline is deep and follows the acoustic guitar with a bounce, giving the stringy riffs depth. The electric guitar fades in and out until it’s time to make way for the solo around the minute-20 mark. The solo gives the track a contemplative moment that feels reflective. “Do Things Different” is a liberating track that revels in its own rough-cut presentation, with a catchy and inspirational chorus that’s worth revisiting the track for the feel-good vibes it gives when it all comes together.
The next track is “Am I Wiser.”The strums of the acoustic guitar make the first impression as the instrumentals explode onto the scene. The low bounces of the bassline dance with the high-flying sounds of the harmonica, which all calm down before the vocals begin. The acoustic guitars are thoughtful and the bassline is buttery smooth as it navigates the background of the track. The electric guitar add an ethereal quality to the track, as the dreamy high notes make themselves scarce until the soft solo comes in. It solidifies both the ethereal quality of the guitar and the contemplative nature of the track. “Am I Wiser” also has a catchy and memorable chorus, simply asking “am I wiser now? Was I wiser then?” It makes the track one that’s easy to empathize with, whose instrumental arrangement creates the perfect contemplative atmosphere.
“Darlin” is a stand-out track. The busy plucks of the acoustic guitar are magnetic as the harmonica sweeps in to add a dynamic edge to their soft nature. The bassline swoops in afterward as the vocals of Sam Bergquist enter the scene, softening the raspy edge to his powerful voice. While Bergquist’s emotional vocals and story of unfortunate heartbreak and love lost takes center stage, the guitar and bass steal the show out from under him. The dynamic bassline dances to the beat of its own drum to give itself a groove of its own you can get lost in, which is especially apparent during the chorus. The contemplative mood the acoustic guitars bring is undeniable, but when they ramp up and dance with Bergquist’s vocals is when they stand out the most. Tying “Darlin’” up towards the end of the track is a sweet guitar solo that adds an unexpected dash of attitude to the track to leave the listener off on a powerful note. While the lyrical integrity of the track is good, where “Darlin’” shines is when you just let yourself rock out to it.
“You Give Me A Reason” finishes it off. The cry of “you give me a reason” that Sam Bergquist starts the track off with will instantly grab your attention and hits you right after the harmonica flutters by. The acoustic guitar starts jamming underneath, giving a killer ramblin’ beat where the guitar supports its own percussion. It takes command alongside Bergquist’s lyrics and tells the start of the story right next to him, dancing alongside his vocals with gusto. When the bassline creeps in it wastes no time in getting its bouncy charm going and fits into the mix flawlessly. The airy electric guitar feels unchained in this track and while still low-key, it is noticeably less contemplative or somber and embraces a much more sunny and upbeat aesthetic. “You Give Me A Reason” feels like the perfect track to end the EP on after the thoughtful and emotional journey of the last 3 tracks.
The story that Sam Bergquist tells in this EP is a personal one that’s full of heart. Each track offers a unique edge to the cohesive sound that’s offered throughout the EP to give it all a smooth flow from one track to another. This doesn’t mean that there are no surprises on the EP, with tracks like “Darlin” showing off the impressive dynamic instrumental prowess while Bergquist’s powerful vocals illuminate every track. While the EP may begin on a slow and contemplative note, when taken as a whole it is an incredibly fun and personal musical journey with a satisfying ending that deserves to be heard.
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