HANNAH WICKLUND -THE PRIZE
For many years, essentially since the beginning of time if I’m being honest, men have run things. Sports, television, comedy, theater, food, music, you name it. Each and every industry including “feminine” ones is dominated by men. I’m not saying that some of these men aren’t extremely talented and passionate about what they do, but I am saying that they have an unfair advantage. Statistically speaking, male artists have more commercial success and popularity compared to females and once you factor in the wage gap, it’s just ridiculous. Even within rock n roll, the genre that defies all odds time and time again, you’re more likely to find men on top. I have hope that this is about to change, though. And a young woman by the name of Hannah Wicklund could very well be the key to it.
Born in South Carolina, Wicklund knew very early on that she was meant to create art and more importantly; she was meant to be heard. Raised on classic rock and those alike, the young woman blossomed and grew through trials and tribulations as a singer, artist, and guitarist. In 2017, at the age of 20 years old, Wicklund released her first single ‘Bomb Through The Breeze’ under her band, Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin’ Stones. This garnered her and her respective band attention within the modern rock scene that only developed further once they released their debut self-titled album a year later.
Fast forward to the present, Wicklund is now working as a soloist with her newest record: ‘The Prize’. Wicklund herself has stated several times online that this album is her greatest creation to date; its theme revolves around the transition between girlhood and womanhood along with the healing of her inner child. On January 12th, the LP was officially released and I for one can say that it’s one of the best records I’ve ever come across, both as a journalist and your run-of-the-mill rock enjoyer.
The Prize is a no skips album, plain and simple. Each track is vital to the overall story and concept of the record; every note and word has its own place that fits beautifully. Out of all ten songs, there are three that I believe are vital to Wicklund’s message, style, and impact but make no mistake; the entire album is worth a listen (or two, three, etc.).
Track 2: Witness
The song that personally spoke to me the most out of this album was the second song; Witness. Instrumentally, Wicklund’s work on the guitar is nothing short of legendary but the real hero here is the lyrics. She tells the story of growth in particular through Witness, diving into the fact that she’s been through some shit but in the end, she embraced the pain and is now standing triumphant on the other side as a stronger, more compassionate individual. This hit home to me and surely others who have had to endure traumas and “learn the hard way” but it was very gratifying and encouraging; Wicklund and her work is proof that with time, all wounds heal.
Track 6: The Prize
Notoriously, title tracks are the most expressive and bold songs on albums; it’s a rule in the industry at this point. Coming into this record, I definitely expected its title track to be ethereal but I had no idea how powerful and transcendent it was actually going to be. The Prize, though softer from a tone perspective, is the most fervent and visionary out of all ten songs. It is the epitome of not just womanhood but also femininity in itself and the aspect of growing up; you can hear it in the words and the instrumentals, which are so beautiful I fear my words won’t do it justice. “I had to make room in my life for the woman I wanted to be.” Is single handedly one of the most relatable lines I’ve ever heard in a song, and she only keeps hitting it home by continuing with “Don’t you cry, that was a beautiful sacrifice.” in the chorus. This song had and still has me speechless with how poetically presented it is; you can’t help but root for her and every other young woman out there.
Track 10: Sun to Sun
Though Sun to Sun is the final song on The Prize, it is by no means the end; not for Wicklund and certainly not for the future of women in rock. The song picks up right where track 9, Dark Passenger, ends in a very brooding nature that perfectly closes the record with a manner that is almost victorious. I’ve made it clear that Wicklund truly poured out her heart and soul into all ten songs on this album but I find it mandatory to point out the fact that on Sun to Sun, you can feel her passion every step of the way; through the cinematic build up, through the momentous chorus, and through the concluding guitar solo that had me sitting in awe smack dab in the center of my otherwise silent apartment at 1:00 AM.
Post-release, Wicklund is gearing up for her headlining Hell in the Hallway Tour that kicks off on February 8th in Charleston, South Carolina. The tour will last until early June in Berlin with supporting acts to be announced. Aside from that, the future of Wicklund’s projects remains a mystery; one I’m certainly interested in to say the least.
Click here to buy tickets for the Hell in the Hallway Tour (see you in Detroit, Hannah!)
Click here to listen to The Prize via Spotify
Click here to listen to The Prize via Apple Music