Album number three from Ida Mae has not only been confirmed as upcoming but they’ve also given us an insight into what to expect from the LP, titled “Thunder Above You”, with the release of their new single and music video, “My Whispers Are Wildfire”. Their indie-rock aesthetic has really helped to establish a name for themselves, and this new release really showcases who they are and the era they are currently in. The release of “My Whispers Are Wildfire” acts as the follow-up to their previous single “When Eden Was My Girl” which features Marcus King.
Ida Mae, the captivating husband and wife duo consisting of Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean Ward, have carved their own path in the music industry with their distinctive blend of classic English folk, sprawling Americana, and scuzzy rock. Initially crossing paths while studying at university, their shared love for music led them to form their first band, Kill It Kid, resulting in three critically acclaimed records and extensive touring across Europe. With their project Ida Mae, they gained further recognition, relocating to Nashville in 2019 and releasing their debut album ‘Chasing Lights’, produced by Ethan Johns. Garnering praise from The Independent and Rolling Stone, the duo embarked on a transformative tour that laid the foundation for their self-produced sophomore album, ‘Click Click Domino’. They’ve gone on to gain millions of streams, with the title track from their second studio album, which featured Marcus King, going on to become their most-streamed track on Spotify with 2.4 million streams. With their intoxicating chemistry and undeniable talent, Ida Mae continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene, offering a unique sonic experience that transcends genres and captivates audiences worldwide.
Talking about the new release, Ida Mae said: “‘My Whispers Are Wildfire’ is written from the perspective of an avaricious lover, in a haze of derealisation. It’s a response to the modern cacophony of fake news, clickbait and the circus confusion of social media and material gain. We felt we were living in the shadow of the American Dream, traveling 46 states, hotel to motel, meeting a wild array of characters; from boat captains, marines to gamblers. We’ve found ourselves sharing coffee with prom queens living on the fringes, divorcees in San Francisco cellar bars and sharing stories about dead Kings with bartenders. This has all been duetted by the anxiety-inducing craze of TikTok and targeted ads. I wanted to capture moments of these conversations, slam the flirtatious absurdity of the way we live into a musical cocktail somewhere between Ry Cooder and The Kills. It was all recorded live, on the second take, in a studio we built in a day in a mansion house in the English Countryside with Ethan Johns on drums and Nick Pini on Bass.”
Watch the official music video to “My Whispers Are Wildfire” by Ida Mae here:
Written by the duo themselves, “My Whispers Are Wildfire” is rhythmically inducing full of their indie-rock atmospheric sound wrapped around experimental slight electronic beats and gritty guitar chords. Stephanie Jean Ward impresses vocally bringing relaxed energy that is heightened when Chris Turpin jumps in for some awesome harmonies. As the title lines hit, she switches her voice to sultry and sexy, adding an extra layer to the indie-rock vibe that we’re totally here for. As the song pushes past the mid-way section, Chris Turpin showcases his guitar skills with some epic instrumental beats that manage to keep the rhythm of the track but add extra fuel to the fire – or should we say wildfire? If this is what Ida Mae has chosen to showcase their upcoming album, we can’t wait to listen to all 11 tracks as it’s clear their focus is on the overall sound and vibe of each of the tracks – and we need more of those amazing guitar solos.
As for the music video which has been released alongside the single and album announcement, we watch the husband and wife duo perform the track to the camera. There are various scenes intercut throughout that relate to the specific lyrics – which are also displayed on screen to drive the message home even more. Both Stephanie Jean Ward and Chris Turpin have a huge amount of stage presence in the visual, effortlessly bringing this song to life both with the former singer the lyrics with passion and the latter showcasing his guitar solos, with both showcasing some sexually charged energy which works perfectly with the track.
Stream the duo’s newly released single on Spotify here:
“My Whispers Are Wildfire”, by Ida Mae, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Vow Road Records. Look out for their forthcoming third studio album, titled “Thunder Above You”.
The new album is set to have 11 tracks and will drop on August 25, 2023. “Thunder Above You” was recorded in just seven days, it followed months of touring the states with legendary artists including Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams, driving from clubs to arena shows and, all the while, being inspired by the dramatic landscapes that surrounded them.
Thunder Above You tracklist:
- My Whispers Are Wildfire
- Into Your River
- American Cars
- Doing It For Badness
- Lost On Your Time
- To Your Love
- My Wild Flying Dove
- Feel The World Turning
- Landslide
- Thunder Above You
- Hold You Like Fading Light