All in all, Karly Hartzman is building up a fine little discography with her band Wednesday. Active since 2018, the alternative country group from Asheville is already on its sixth album: its 2025 release, Bleeds, seems to be its best offering yet.
Right from the start, with “Reality TV Argument Bleeds,” you’re hooked by the deliciously shoegaze-y, noisy guitars of Hartzman and the indispensable MJ Lenderman, who recently announced that he would be stopping touring with Wednesday, without leaving them in the studio.
It’s impossible to deny the country influences (Wednesday hails from North Carolina, after all!), particularly on “Elderberry Wine” with its ultra-effective steel guitar provided by Xandy Chelmis.
The music is devilishly effective, but Hartzman’s writing must also be highlighted: affected by the end of her long relationship with MJ Lenderman, the singer-songwriter delivers her Rumours. She manages to delve into the darkest memories of adolescence, painting a grim picture of this turbulent period where late-night parties and heavy marijuana use were the norm. The dark and oppressive aspect of the project is magnified by Kamila Mlynarczyk’s cover art, depicting a monstrous rabbit that strongly reminds me of the visual universe of Where the Wild Things Are (from Maurice Sendak’s book, not Spike Jonze’s film!). It’s the same kind of message, too: childhood/adolescence bullied, less beautiful than one might think.
“Pick Up That Knife” perfectly illustrates Wednesday’s ability to juggle various influences: a slacker rhythm gives way to raging grunge attacks, before returning to a more sedate rhythm, with the band then moving on to an absolutely insane noise song, “Wasp.” Karly Hartzman, the quintessential Southern goth, still has a lot to offer us with Wednesday. Keep a close eye on her.
