The Wonder Licks, New York’s cherished Americana collective, have released their latest single “Chutes & Ladders,” a profound, roots-infused track meditating on the unpredictable, divine shifts that shape the mortal experience.
Anchored by the band’s organic instrumentation and their instinctive, heavenly vocal blend, the new song offers a candid snapshot of eternal themes that run through their upcoming body of work: the spiritual journey, creative uncertainty, and the strange, often circular pursuit of meaning.
“Like the board game, this one’s about the ups and downs of life,” quips lead singer Jacob Wunderlich. “It’s about feeling good one day and bad the next or some mix of both. Having no guarantee of happiness or success can lead to despair, but it can also have the opposite effect of inspiring joy in the search and allowing you/me/us to enjoy life’s moments for what they are, good, bad or neutral.”
The song’s blend of candid, universal lyrics and soaring, melodic turns makes it one of the band’s most immediate and relatable tracks to date. Produced by the venerable John Jackson (The Kinks, The Jayhawks, Caleb Caudle, Trapper Schoepp), the track seamlessly blends steady rhythmic drive, textured, celestial guitars, and Jacob’s unmistakable vocals. It’s a true snapshot of where The Wonder Licks are creatively: classic influences channeled with a modern, emotionally open edge.
Look out for The Wonder Licks carving out a divinely authentic space in NYC’s music landscape ahead of a promising year of new revelations, performances, and more.