"We wear our albatross like lead-covered chains that carry or souls to the dust from which we came. We all find forgiveness all too often in this fire." 

The realm of alt-Folk artists has gotten pretty crowded in the last few years, with your Mumford & Sons, Lumineers, and Iron & Wines holding down the fort while assorted Sufjan Stevens, Kings of Leons and Coldplays rock the boats with tunes that often aren’t very alternative or folky, but still have a particular Springstein-esque riffs in their vocals and an emotionally explicit Difrano-y theme in their lyrics. 

The Albatross We Keep is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 18th.

Molding that genre yet again is singer/songwriter Nik Piscitello of the one-man-band Wayfarer. Formerly a member of post-hardcore groups Last of the Believers (with former Rise Against guitarist Chris Chasse) and Spark of Life, the unforgettable highs and character building lows of life—and perhaps Piscitello’s musical journey–are passionately reveled in his second EP, The Albatross We Keep.

All five songs on the extended play—produced by Doug Grean with bassist Joe Ginsberg, drummer Ryan seaman and backing vocalist Brian Marquis—speak to the when, how, why and for how long we allow the road blocking fear and doubt linger in our lives. 

“Worried Ways,” immediately addresses that harsh reality, while “Skeletons” briefly reflects on a painful past and “Never Be” looks towards one man’s grim future. 

At the heart of the record “On And On” stands out as much of the instrumentals are stripped away for the first half of the track, placing the focus on the wisdom relayed through words like “Don’t let this world, this world swallow your soul tonight.” Once pulled in, the mellow ballad morphs into a ballsy, drum kicking, emotional current—a theme also found in the epic instrumental break of “Best And Worst”—and releases you at the end. 

The EP is scheudled to be released Tuesday, February 18th and this writer can only hope this is just the beginning for Wayfarer. 

Both honest and relatable, The Albatross We Keep is a short cut to the Pacific Ocean, where you might face your worry head on, and even attempt to release it…for as long as it’ll stay away.