The Way Down Wanderers - illusions (2019)

With their sophomore album, illusions, the Way Down Wanderers have fine-tuned their signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, lyrical harmonies, and dance floor drumbeats. These eleven songs are informed by a diverse range of musical traditions, somewhere between bluegrass and hip-hop, and the result is an album that sounds both timeless and fresh. Since forming the band in their hometown of Peoria, Illinois, Collin Krause and Austin Krause-Thompson have crafted unforgettable stories of love and loss. With this latest release, the brothers-in-law have shown why they are two of the best young singer-songwriters in music today. Drummer John Merikoski and bassist John Williams infuse the album with an energy that is suited for the bright lights of a festival stage, while Travis Kowalsky lays down some ripping banjo. illusions is a powerful album that fuses a raw enthusiasm for life with the sobering reality of how quickly time passes.