Review of "Stranger Ways" by Lone Wild: Energetic Synth-Anthem Marks 5-Year Anniversary

Recently, Lone Wild celebrated the 5th anniversary of their most popular single, "Stranger Ways," by releasing a live version of the song. I came across the live version first, but soon discovered the original—and what a discovery it was!

"Stranger Ways" bursts with energy and catchy electronic indie rock vibes in this well-produced track. It offers many things an indie-niche lover would appreciate: catchy guitar riffs, vibrant, 80s-inspired synthesizers, and an interesting selection of effects.

At the same time, it has everything a global hit requires: instant hooks and a top-tier vocal performance. The stats back me up—over 150k listens on Spotify and YouTube combined, a well-deserved milestone for an indie band emerging from Nashville's music scene.

I've decided to share the original version of the song here, not the live one. To be frank, I wasn't as impressed by the live take. What the live version seems to lack is the raw, live energy—it sounds more like a less polished version of the original. But if you're curious to judge for yourself, here's the link. On the other hand, if it weren't for the live release, I wouldn't be writing this post in the first place!