Country and Americana artist Ranzel X Kendrick, also known by his indie rock alter ego Alias Wayne, is one of the most prolific artists I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing recently. With 6 album releases since 2020, Ranzel is on a hot streak and shows no signs of slowing down with his upcoming EP, Texas Time Warp.
Though he’s currently based in Costa Rica, Ranzel X Kendrick’s work is undeniably American at heart. The opening track, Ten Speed Blues is all about the reality of being a single lonely man. The motif of riding about in circles on his old ten-speed bicycle aligns perfectly with the aimlessness of dating when you’re young.
Set against a musical backdrop of gentle acoustic guitars and harmonicas, this track is sure to evoke some nostalgia if you were born and raised out in the West.
With Backpacking Ranzel infuses elements of blues and rock into his music with the bass and electric guitar, while still preserving some of that country sound. This blend of genres fits in perfectly with the song’s lyrical themes of freedom and exploration, enriching the musical experience.
I really liked how Ranzel returned back to a traditional country sound with Lighthearted, Happy and High. It’s a song that yearns for simpler times that have been replaced with high-rise buildings and city lights. Once again, Ranzel demonstrates his expertise as an artist by perfectly blending his lyrics with musical elements that stir the same emotions.
The concept behind this EP becomes evident when you hear Where My Treasure Is, a gentle duet that is perfect for easy listening. Ranzel switches up genres and messaging yet to go for a sombre and introspective piece on cherishing true love.
Even though they differ in their subjects, every track on Texas Time Warp is bound together by the recurring idea of memory and the past. Reminisce is the cherry on top for this EP as it dives into the universal experience of old friends gathering ‘round to reminisce their shared past.
Even though the title may not suggest it, Texas Time Warp is one of those albums that makes you fall into a reverie. For the span of these five tracks, you’re immersed in Ranzel’s world as he takes you on a journey through loneliness, love, and nostalgia. With its poetic songwriting and immaculate production, this upcoming EP has the potential to be Ranzel’s best work yet.
ONLINE:
https://www.ranzelxkendrick.com
https://www.facebook.com/RanzelXKendrick
https://www.youtube.com/@AliasWayne
https://www.instagram.com/ranzelxkendrick/