Wednesday – Elderberry Wine

Wednesday returns with their first offering since 2023’s breakthrough ‘Rat Saw God’, and “Elderberry Wine” suggests they’ve discovered something worth savouring. The North Carolina outfit has dialed back the noise in favor of something more intimate—pedal steel guitar weaving through country-tinged melodies while Karly Hartzman delivers vocals that feel both vulnerable and assured.

The track represents a shift toward their softer side, which makes sense given the recent lineup changes. MJ Lenderman remains part of the recording process but has stepped away from touring duties, leaving Wednesday to recalibrate their sound. Rather than dwelling on what’s missing, they’ve leaned into what works: Hartzman’s gift for turning everyday observations into something profound.

The song explores the delicate balance to keep good things from turning toxic. Hartzman explains the concept through a perfectly mundane family anecdote—her sister getting sick from eating raw elderberries—before expanding it into a meditation on love and compatibility. It’s the kind of writing that makes the ordinary feel significant without trying too hard to be clever.

Musically, “Elderberry Wine” trades the shoegaze elements of previous releases for something more grounded in alt-country traditions. The production feels spacious, allowing each instrument room to breathe while maintaining the band’s signature warmth.

The accompanying video, shot at Greensboro’s The Bench bar, captures the community spirit central to Wednesday’s identity. Director Spencer Kelly populated the clip with actual regulars rather than actors, creating an authentic snapshot of the kind of place where conversations flow as easily as the drinks.

This feels like Wednesday finding their footing after a transition period, settling into a sound that emphasizes melody and storytelling over volume and distortion.