There is a quiet gravity to Woodpig’s debut single, “When the Winds Came,” a track born from loss and introspection but carried on the warmth of friendship. Originally written by Al Mitchell during a year of profound personal upheaval, processing the death of a family member and the end of a long-term relationship, the song has evolved into a fully realized studio recording with the help of longtime collaborators Harrison Caruana on bass, Josh Gentle on drums, and Mol Jo Tucker on vocals.
The track opens with Mitchell’s earnest vocals over gently plucked guitar lines that feel almost confessional. Layer by layer, the band builds a subtle dynamic, allowing drums and harmonies to swell without ever overwhelming the song’s core vulnerability. There is an understated elegance to the arrangement. You feel the weight of endings but also the lingering warmth of what remains. It is in these nuances, soft reverb, tender vocal interplay, and the combination of acoustic and atmospheric textures, that Woodpig stakes its claim as a band capable of turning personal heartbreak into universal resonance.
While the song sits firmly in indie folk territory, nods to the introspective storytelling of Ben Howard or the ethereal melancholy of Phoebe Bridgers are apparent yet never derivative. Woodpig’s sound is less about mimicry and more about authenticity, a reflection of the DIY ethos that shaped its recording across living rooms and bedrooms rather than professional studios.
“When the Winds Came” is a debut that feels both fragile and assured, a gentle reminder that music can process grief and mark new beginnings simultaneously. For listeners seeking emotional honesty wrapped in layered, contemplative arrangements, Woodpig’s first studio outing is an understated triumph, signaling a band already in dialogue with its own history and with each other.
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