“You Wanted To,” a single by Braveheart (January 29, 2021) – 8.5/10

For those of you who don’t know, Braveheart is the first solo project from multi-instrumentalist and producer Will Caig, who first made a name for himself as the drummer for Sabine Valley, a prominent force in the Little Rock alternative/hard rock scene. He continues that sound with this first single, but he spins it in a way that gives it a specific and recognizable character. The Tame Impala-esque synth holds the track together and keeps the multifaceted songwriting rooted in something, allowing Caig to make a song that’s perpetually flowing and changing. Pair this with some punchy, incredibly played percussion and a distorted, guitar-like bass that’s reminiscent of groups like Royal Blood and Death From Above 1979, and you get a stunning backdrop that fits Caig’s surprisingly versatile vocal performance. This is his first outing as a vocalist, so the personality and talent that seeps through his performance are really admirable. There are moments where his vocals are mixed a bit too quietly, but the general mixing is punchy enough to keep the song feeling as huge as it’s written.

Guest writer Ethan Haslauer has been involved with music for most of his life and has been sharing his reviews on Instagram since late 2019. He uses humor and personal experiences to bring life to his reviews, capturing the feelings the songs create. Ethan also produces and works on marketing for the independent record label Hand in Hand Records.