There’s a sort of irony to be found on Nathan Wiley’s 6-song EP, Modern Magic. Despite the name, much of the album’s sound has a nostalgic gleam to it—Wiley’s own spin on a tried and true sound.
It’s a major tonal shift from his previous works. Wiley has traded his trusted guitar for a more synth and horn-driven sound, and the change-up pays off in a major way. It creates this moody, groovy atmosphere, with all the intrigue of a 70’s spy flick. “Nobody’s Lookin’ at You” sells this vibe especially well, with crooning harmonies and horn flourishes decorating the background.
“Love Through the Eyes of a Shark” diverts the most from this formula, but it still roots itself in a more vintage sound. The synth line bubbling throughout harkens more to the melodramatic soundscapes of ’80s movies that are still being celebrated in popular media today.
Many of the songs center around a femme fatale—a real force of a woman who commands attention and respect. Most notably, “Heatseeker” is the story of the sort of harmless crush young children develop on their teachers, though the delivery makes it seem like this intriguing and dramatic thing.
“Some of this is me in elementary school,” said Wiley. “My school seemed rough and dangerous, like a whole new world. The melody came first, and when the words started coming out, this teacher character that all the kids made up stories about appeared.”
The album features collaborations with a number of artists. Members of the Mellotones, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Ed Toth of The Doobie Brothers, Rob Crowell of Deer Tick—the list goes on. For his first album in six years, it’s clear Wiley didn’t want to pull any punches. The departure from his previous works goes off without a hitch, and all that’s left to wonder is where he could possibly be headed next.