Today, British trio The Wandering Hearts (Tara Wilcox [vocals], A.J. Dean [vocals, acoustic guitar] and Francesca “Chess” Whiffin [vocals, mandolin]) released their latest record, Mother, the band’s Chrysalis Records debut. Mother is out now digitally, on CD and LP, including exclusive, signed coloured vinyl and a limited number of test pressings.
The focus track, “Hold Your Tongue” pushes back against passive-aggressive “compliments” with sharp lyrics and confident vocal melodies. “You know when someone says, ‘Oh, you’d look pretty if you put on more makeup?’,” says Tara Wilcox on the triumphant track. “The song essentially replies,‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything. I don’t have time for it.’”
Watch visualizer for “Hold Your Tongue” HERE
Listen to Mother HERE
“Some albums have songs to make you feel inspired, empowered, thoughtful, and move you in different ways,” says Tara Wilcox, “It would be wonderful if there was a song on Mother to help you in any moment you need.” Produced by Steve Milbourne (session credits for Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette), their Chrysalis Records debut is a handcrafted patchwork of folk-style storytelling, pop hooks and rock energy threaded together by their luminous signature harmonies. You could think of it as a long-lost seventies album originally made in Laurel Canyon and dusted off in some vintage London record store 50 years later.
An album encapsulating both turbulence and joy, Mother detailed the journey of motherhood and all the self-discovery and ramifications that came along. From the timeless ode to their sonic home, “About America,” to the brewing storm that was “River To Cry,” as well as “Waiting,” a reminiscent highlight track led by A.J. Dean’s touching vocals–Mother is no doubt the best album from The Wandering Hearts thus far.
Every memory holds the potential to last forever, responsibilities expand, yet joy does as well. The Wandering Hearts intimately explore this maternal transformation on the album. The band chronicle this season of growth and change across eleven tracks.
“I was pregnant when we started making the record, and Tara was pregnant when we finished it,” notes Chess. “During the process, we really found ourselves as a band. Motherhood has helped us grow and find meaning. It brought our writing and performing to a different level.”
The group worked out of Chess’s home studio in Darlington, drawing on everything from folk and rock. Surrounded by guitars, a vintage piano and classic equipment, the music gestated in a room affectionately dubbed, “The Music Womb.” A.J. goes on, “This album started as a folk EP and grew into something entirely different. It has elements of folk, rock, blues, pop and more with our voices tying it all together. We were really just making an album for us. We think the result is the best music we've ever made.”
Earlier releases had brandished a bit of a subtle pop sheen. With Mother, The Wandering Hearts peeled back this layer, sanded it down and stripped the sound to its bare essentials—captivating lyrics, organic instrumentation, and, as always, starkly powerful harmonies. In doing so, they realized their vision at its purest and most powerful.
In the end, motherhood has ultimately enabled The Wandering Hearts to be themselves. “The album has all of the elements of who we are, but we’ve landed in a place that feels like us,” reflects Chess.
Returning from a successful US radio promo tour and playing across UK and Ireland in March and April, including a show at the phenomenal Electric Brixton in London on April 12th, The Wandering Hearts has been non-stop touring thus far in 2024. The band will return to the US soon with shows in Nashville, TN, Lexington, KY with more dates to come.
Mother Track Listing:
1. About America
2. Still Waters
3. Tired
4. Letter To Myself
5. Hold Your Tongue
6. Waiting
7. Dance Again
8. Not Misunderstood
9. River To Cry
10. Will You Love Me
11. What Fools Believe
March
Fri 22 - Kingston, Banquet Records* - TICKETS
Sat 23 - London, Rough Trade East* - TICKETS
Mon 25 - Leeds, Vinyl Whistle* - TICKETS
Tues 26 - Edinburgh, The Queen’s Hall
Weds 27 - Belfast, The Deer’s Head
Thurs 28 - Dublin, The Workman’s Cellar
Sun 31 - Birmingham, The Mill
*In-store show
April
Tues 2 - Manchester, Gorilla
Weds 3 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Thurs 4 - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
Fri 5 - Sheffield, Leadmill
Sun 7 - Bristol, The Fleece
Mon 8 - Brighton, Komedia
Thurs 11 - Norwich, Arts Centre
Sat 13 - Cardiff, Tramshed
Fri 19 - Miramar Beach, FL, Moon Crush: Pink Moon
Sat 20 - Asheville, NC, Salvage Station W Lissie
Mon 22 - Nashville, TN, The Basement (headline show)
Tues 23 - Lexington, KY, Manchester Music Hall
Sun 28 - Morgantown, VA, NPR Mountain Stage
May
Fri 31- Oxford, O2 Academy
June
Sat 1 London, London Lafayette
August
Fri + Sat 23 + 24 Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Sun 25 - Cottingham Folk Festival
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
