Uniquely dancey tunes. 

As a vocalist and founding member of the late ‘70s new wave band the B-52’s, Cindy Wilson doesn’t have to boast much to prove her worth. With her August 25 release Realms, Wilson reinvents her iconic voice into a noteworthy nod not only to her past, but to her legacy in the industry. 

In a near-six year hiatus from her previous release, Wilson manages to elevate the somewhat sullen and lo-fi vibe of Changes to the individualistic, mesmerizing project that is Realms.

In an interview with Yahoo Music, the singer noted the recording process for her latest release — all of which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her self-cultivation during this period of time was a driving force towards her journey of self-reflection. 

“I use music as a way of getting my emotions out,” Wilson, 66, said. “I’m kind of quiet as far as my personality goes, but singing has been a way to express myself and grow.” 

“Midnight” kicks off the album with an entrancing, futuristic synth that is accompanied with Wilson’s skilled vocalizations. Aptly named, the tune constantly repeats its title in a nearly-tired manner, yet is backed by a deeply intense drum beat.

“It’s midnight again / So tell me you feel it / It’s midnight again / Just say what you want to,” Wilson repeats in the album’s first track. 

Following the introductory track, “Overboard” takes on steady, digitized beat that elevates its simplified lyricism – a common theme for a majority of the album’s tracks. 

Characteristically speaking, it’s relatively common to see an album under the electronic genre to have monotonous synth riffs and an underlying 808 combination. However, Wilson’s background in the new wave genre shifts this notion into a widely transformative manner, making for a tracklist that builds upon itself rather than feeding into a loop. 

This reigns true for “Within,” the album’s sixth song. 

A noticeably subdued melody makes it an immediate stand-out from tracks like “Wait” and “Daydreamer,” with Wilson carrying the tune with echoed, dreamy vocals. 

In just 10 songs, the seasoned musician takes the listener on a ride though the high-tempo realms of “Delirious” and the mellow, Beach House-esque concluding tune “Not Goodbye.”

A potential nod to The B-52’s’ farewell tour, “Not Goodbye” takes on a sentimental tone – radiating themes of endings and beginnings, moving on and its emotional baggage.

Realms is available on all major streaming platforms.