It was with its 2012 EP That Old Feeling that A Rocket to the Moon hinted at a musical shift. With trace elements of its glossy emo-pop in the rearview mirror, the band drove its sound toward the twangy guitars of Nashville. Its 2013 sophomore album, Wild & Free, further realizes this change from boyish bedroom anthems to matured songwriting enveloped in a rootsy tones. “Going Out” opens with lazy pedal steel sliding over acoustic guitars that blend together like a Keith Urban tune. Frontman Nick Santino presents this genre metamorphosis quite well. Rather than affect a Southern drawl, he sings like he always has—but with a noticeable emphasis on vocal harmonies during the band's signature panoramic choruses. Santino and band handle the following ballad “First Kiss” like Music City veterans. A warm and classic country-rock sound is nicely balanced here against razor-honed pop hooks and a soaring refrain. The production is crisp and pristine without sounding overdone. The deluxe version boasts two acoustic songs and “Call It All Home,” a tune that recalls the band's wide-eyed beginnings.
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