Wild Child

Pillow Talk (Major Nation)

Wild Child’s debut LP spills unabashed folk-pop plucked and plied with a willful and necessarily naive lilt. As the LP spools and unravels the threads of youthful love, core duo Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins sow even the lowest moments of romance with an intimate and idealistic flair that, if not innocent, bends toward brighter boundaries. As a singer, Wilson shines throughout, her perfectly twanged pop drawl floating effortlessly and carefree through the unsettled emotions of “Silly Things,” a shimmying “Someone Else,” and the yearning twosome of “Whiskey Dreams” and “Winter Pockets.” Ukulele foundations for the songs seep through even in the broader arrangements of a full sextet, retaining the light playfulness on boisterous sing-alongs like “Cocaine Hurricane” as well. Pillow Talk‘s potent beauty lies in capturing dissolving revelations and uncertain fading embers with tunes like “Warm Body” and the title track.

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This article appears in December 23 • 2011.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.