Ali and the Wild Geese - Next (2025)

Ali & the Wild Geese have a new album, Next, that’s a classic with Ali’s rich versatile vocals leading the way through the weeds of yearnings, both in relationships with another and with oneself. The musical production evidences intelligent choices made with the violin, piano, and rhythms throughout this album that hold your attention all along the way. Overall the album displays an honest talent without needing showboating or contrived embellishments.

In the album opener “Red Wine” Ali shows her vocals can hit the Karen Carpenter zone, as the song gathers steam: “It doesn’t matter if you’re right when I’m still mad / since you know everything I thought you’d know that / I remember stormy weather and red wine.” The harmonies are great and have moments of true excellence on the crescendoes especially. The violin is prominent and wild.

“Feelin’ away” expresses an emotional openness and a bone-weariness: “I’m feeling’ tired, come and rest with me until the fire dies and there are no more stars to see.” But also, “if you’re feeling restless, come and dance with me.” The violin punctuates here with jiggy rhythms.

In “Traveler” the murmuration of birds gets a shout out, in expressions of longing and wondering at the peace a mentor feels: “there ain’t no winter cold enough to chill her to the bone and I long to feel that comfort she feels deep down in her soul.” The violin dives deep into cello territory on this one.

The stand-up bass takes the spotlight in “Missin’ Me” in an intriguing move as it anchors the melody. This song adeptly outlines why a person would leave a relationship, explaining to someone who likely can’t understand. “I’ve spent half my life excusing bad behavior when behaving badly wasn’t yours to do. I wish I could stay and wait for you to hear me. ”