Joseph & Maia - “Young + Wild”

New Zealand-based singer-songwriter duo Joseph & Maia arrive on the blog with “Young + Wild,” a song that calls back to the days before the obligations and responsibilities of adulthood. And although the lyrics read as though they are quite personal, it will not at all be difficult to find pieces of your own past buried within them.

“Young + Wild” begins with a chill, electro beat and the soft strumming of a guitar. The vibe is upbeat, but very gentle, which carves an ideal emotional path for the vocals to arrive. And as Joseph & Maia’s voices perfectly align with one another, it is at this point we knew the song belonged on our blog. We’ve always been fans of double-tracked vocals, but there’s something completely magical here that would likely translate flawlessly to the stage.

Upon the arrival of the hook, the arrangement expands and lifts with some additional percussive elements, such as a tambourine, and a more prominent sound coming from the keys. Listeners will be completely enchanted as the vocal melody ebbs and flows, and fans of The Shins and The Head and the Heart will feel right at home, cozied up to the warmth of this folksy number.

This is our first time hearing from Joseph and Maia, but after allowing “Young + Wild” to open a portal to our former, youthful selves, we truly hope that they send over all of their future releases.

-HD