Following the release of their debut full-length album Infinitely Ordinary in 2020, The Wrecks are about to kick off a massive year in 2022 and have been teasing fans with the rollout of a couple of new singles so far. The first of the two is “Lone Survivor”, a track that takes the classic breakup song and flips on its head, celebrating independence in the aftermath of a breakup rather than wallowing in sorrow. Meanwhile, the band’s newest track, “I Love This Part” expands on the themes on “Lone Survivor” while breaking some sonic barriers for the band.
With both emotionally vulnerable tracks finding The Wrecks setting the tone for their yet to be announced new album, coming later this year, we caught up with vocalist Nick Anderson to dive a little bit deeper into the new music and discuss the bands growth over the past two years. Listen to both “Lone Survivor” and “I Love This Part” and read the full interview below.
Prelude Press: You kicked off 2022 with your new single “Lone Survivor” in February and have just released “I Love This Part”! Now that both tracks are released to the public, what are your favorite things about the songs?
The Wrecks: Their versatility, I think. Something exciting about our band is that you’re never going to get the same thing twice, and pushing myself to discover what that new thing is puts us in very unfamiliar territories. “Lone Survivor,” for instance, was a take on alt disco pop in a way that felt lyrically authentic to our band, and overall just a fun exciting tune to experiment with. “I Love This Part” is a return to a style that feels most natural to me, but dressed up in punchier, more mature production.
Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired the tracks?
I had just gone through a breakup at the time. Writing both “Lone Survivor” & “I Love This Part” was my way to channel out everything I’d been feeling about the situation. “Lone Survivor” specifically is about feeling empowered by your independence in the aftermath of a breakup. And “I Love This Part” in particular means a lot to me, because a lot like the earliest Wrecks songs, it kept my head above water and helped me cope during a very difficult time. Not only that, but it inspired and set the tone for the rest of what’s to come.
What would you like for listeners to take away from “Lone Survivor” and “I Love This Part”?
It’s really up to the listener. I try not to direct the listener in any direction specifically. If someone can take something meaningful from these songs, that’s great.
With “Lone Survivor” not only marking the beginning of your new year but also a new chapter for The Wrecks, did you have any goals in mind when you began working on the song? How about for “I Love This Part”?”
I experienced my second true breakup last year, and it wrote this record for me. My goal for both of these tracks, and the upcoming full-length record, has been to take last year’s feelings of heartache, self-loathing, pettiness, resentment, redemption, and closure and channel them into songs that sound as big as those emotions felt. Sometimes that requires something upbeat and empowering, but most of the time it requires something with a bit more angst.
The new songs follow a handful of singles you released last year, as well as your debut album, Infinitely Ordinary, which you released back in 2020. How do you feel you’ve grown as musicians over the past couple of years?
I struggled to write much new Wrecks music between Infinitely Ordinary and now. The Static EP that we released last year featured two songs that were written and recorded in 2018, and other than a few singles and covers, it felt like I was too burnt out to create something that excited me. Every song felt like a question mark. It took going through something emotionally charged for me to connect with the storyteller in me and write a collection of songs that were destined to exist in The Wrecks’ catalogue.
Were there any lessons that you learned with Infinitely Ordinary that you’ve been able to apply to the music that you’re working on now?
I’ve learned to trust my instincts more. I am willing to work on a song until it has gone through 30 different versions, and that’s ok. Some songs only see 1 version, and that’s ok, too. The rulebook doesn’t exist; the only guiding light that I truly follow anymore is how many times I want to replay that new track after I’ve left the studio and laid in bed for the night with headphones on. Our most successful songs have kept me up for hours. That’s the feeling I chase now. This new album has enough tracks like that for me to welcome the sun through my blinds before I’ve even slept.
With “Lone Survivor” and “I Love This Part” out now, could fans expect to hear any more new music soon?
Yes, expect it soon. More music is in the works.
Do you have any other big plans or goals for 2022?
Yes, we want to get back on the road this year. So, keep your eyes peeled for that.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you! If you’re reading this, go stream “Lone Survivor” & “I Love This Part.”
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