There is something inherently engaging in an album that dares to strive for the difficulties of dreams in the face of the weight of relationships. That’s exactly what Sam Caldwell does on his debut LP, Wanderlust: a heartfelt ode to the courage and vulnerability it takes to follow your passions in a world that so often tries to urge us to play it safe. Blending seamlessly with folk melodies and evocative lyrics, there’s a bit of indie rock in Caldwell that takes us on a journey that is both personal and immensely universal.
The album opens with a brief yet evocative track, “s.t.a.r.” In only 47 seconds, Caldwell sets the tone of what is to come and welcomes us into his world with his gentle voice over a piano and a choir that feels like the voice of collective humanity. The round of applause and murmurs in the background that follow create a sense of inclusion, as if we were let in to eavesdrop on a private concert—an intimate gathering in which the barriers between artist and listener simply dissolve.
From this soft beginning, we’re led into “Feeding the Wound,” a track that pits the powerful yet soothing voice of Caldwell against a soundscape of banjo, acoustic guitar, and bass that hums like a steady heartbeat. A warm electric guitar joins in, layering the song even further with emotion and transforming what is initially delicate and almost fragile into something profound and resonant. It feels like Caldwell isn’t only singing to, but for you, sharing his struggles and triumphs in a manner that feels very personal.
“Birthday Week” follows, and it starts off with the fingerpicked notes of an acoustic guitar that just instantly draws you in. There’s warmth in Caldwell’s voice, a familiarity that makes you want to sit down and listen to the story he’s about to tell. It’s an intrinsic and reflective track—one that captures the essence of those quiet moments of introspection we all go through: times when the world slows down just enough for us to really think about where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Then there’s “Little Things,” a track that drives forth with the everyman indie rock feeling. All around is an energetic instrumental, yet it’s Caldwell’s vocals that do it again, striking through the mix like silver: clear and crystalline, they are a point of refreshing dynamics and grounding. This track feels like an ode to the small moments in everyday life, which string together and make up the tapestry of our existence.
“Beacon Street,” the final track on the album, closes Wanderlust with somewhat striking beauty but doom: Caldwell sings over distortion and chaos. Here, synths and slide-sounding guitar are combined to create a backdrop both soothing and disquieting all at once, an ideal close to an album that is never afraid to roam freely down life’s many avenues of tangled mess. It’s the sort of track that lingers well after the final note has dissipated, leaving the listener in their own quiet thoughts.
Wanderlust by Sam Caldwell is a journey through the peaks and valleys of ambition, love, and self-discovery. This L.A. singer-songwriter has quickly made a name for himself in his ability to capture the pain and beauty that come with coming of age. Wanderlust is a bold and inspiring ode to all those who dare to follow their dreams at any cost.
You can find more of Sam Caldwell at:
You can listen to ‘Wanderlust’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.