Releasing a debut song can be tricky for a variety of reasons, but brand-new Toronto-based band WILDE has managed to do so brilliantly. The fact that they've decided to cover Katniss' (Jennifer Lawrence) emotive tune, "The Hanging Tree", from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 already sets them apart, but once you take a listen to their interpretation, you'll be begging to hear more of their incredible sound. "Hanging Tree (Are You?)" is a smooth-flowing, head-nodding, electronically oriented affair filled with warm synths, downtempo percussion, and some beautiful crooning from the group's female vocalist, Giselle Mapp. The other band members, Olutobi Akinwumi and Brandon Merenick, masterminded the instrumental—one meshing elements of new-wave hip-hop and electronic that could be right out of an old-school video game. We're already hooked on WILDE after only hearing their debut here, and as a part of Last Gang Records (Chromeo, Purity Ring, Ryan Hemsworth), the trio undoubtedly has a very bright future ahead of them. Keep on the lookout for a new single from them in the early stages of next year, as well as an ensuing EP.
WILDE