Looking slightly concerned as if someone has crept up on her in a field of sunflowers, on the cover of her new single "The Wheel" is Katie Nicholas. She needn't look concerned though for this one of the most sumptuous sounds that you will hear all year.
The opening guitar work transfers us back immediately to Buckle & Boots 2023, where one of the first things that came flooding back upon seeing her play live for the first time in years was just what a great guitar player she is.
"How many goodbyes does it take to leave you?
Go on, one more look, but it really seems like I need you
How many goodbyes can I have, just to feel you?
You stood by the door, I'm in awe, but I need a clear view"
That initial guitar has been joined subtly by an occasional piano, initially hand plucked strings before the more familiar string sound starts to materialist. Lyrically we are in Taylor / Burton country - can't live with each other, can't live without each other, trapped in a repeating cycle - like a "Wheel"
The chorus sees Katie ponder on the meanings of this revolving relationship
"Are you a stranger or are you my lover?
Are we revealing we can't love each other?
Is this the ending that has no beginning?
Each time we try, I can't deny, There's no winning"
As we emerge into the second verse, the sound grows like those sunflowers in the cover picture and becomes bigger and more majestic.
"How many good times Can I grab before it falls through?
We're going round again, it's insane, but does it feel new?
How many bad ways, how many dark days till we reach our break through?
You stand by the door, you're unsure, I guess it's my cue"
The second chorus is slightly differently worded yet retains the essential meaning while the strings truly blossom into something silky smooth with a true sense of grandeur.
There is so much to recommend this single from the lyrical internal rhymes, the rich warmth of the strings or just Katie's exquisite vocal delivery. If that was not enough keep an eye out for the one take video that effortlessly glides back and forth between Katie and her piano player - it may not have the witty inventiveness of her other videos but probably took as much planning to deftly move between the two performers.
Presave link: https://ffm.to/thewheel
"The Wheel" is released 8/8/24
For more Katie Nicholas go check out songwriterdiaries.com • 50 unreleased songs between 2010-2020