LISTEN: “When We Were Young” by The Wild Wild

The Wild Wild is the musical project of Benjamin Dunn, who grew up in the Midwest United States, but like many creative types, shook off the confines of a traditional upbringing and head out to more stimulating environment. He ended up in California, spending a year and a half sleeping on beaches in Venice. LA held his attention for a while, he started playing out wherever he could land a gig, eventually sharing stages with the likes of Bear Hands and Fitz and the Tantrums. New Orleans was home for a bit but his latest move seems to have been in a different direction, the isolated, rural, forest of Pennsylvania, with the idea that it will further hone his artistic expression.

The Wild Wild’s debut is the EP Kids; a collection of songs immersed in retro sonics reminiscent of 80’s synth based greats Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Springsteen and U2. Dunn references the classic U2 track from 1984’s “Bad” with its “wide awake, I’m not sleeping” refrain, when describing his artistic philosophy. “To be awake, eyes wide open to beauty and magic, that’s my life philosophy, it makes you fearless knowing that the universe is ever conspiring for your happiness and something magical is about to happen right now. I don’t want to sleep through it.”

Just in time for warmer weather, the danceable pop of “When We Were Young” really brings back those sun-splashed days of youth and summer.

Take a spin (for fans of The Naked And Famous).