Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Maiah Wynne has announced her new studio album, Into The Waves, for release on September 25 through Kscope, expanding her solo catalogue while continuing a creative period that has also seen her work alongside Canadian rock veteran Alex Lifeson in Envy of None.
The album announcement arrives alongside Wynne’s latest single, “See The Water,” following the release of “Breathe” earlier this year. The 12-track record was written, self-produced and largely recorded by Wynne during a period marked by international touring, relocation and a return to education.
New Single ‘See The Water’ Draws on Wynne’s Early Songwriting
“See The Water” has a particularly long history for Wynne, who wrote the song as a teenager after receiving a dulcimer. The track explores self-doubt through imagery connected with water, drowning and an internal critical voice.
“I wrote “See the Water” in a handful of minutes when I was 16. I had just been gifted a dulcimer and found my hands quickly dancing around a folky melody in D minor. What came out was the manifestation of my inner critic. That voice inside my head that always told me I wasn’t enough, no matter how hard I tried. I decided to create a character out of her to represent the feeling of being hunted and haunted by that voice everywhere I went. The imagery of water and drowning in those feelings kept coming up and in a moment of quick inspiration, the song came out fully formed and has only changed slightly in the years since. It’s nice to finally have a studio version of it out in the world close to how I always pictured it in my head.” – Maiah Wynne
The single is now available on digital platforms, accompanied by an official music video.
‘Into The Waves’ Takes Shape Across Touring and Major Life Changes
Much of Into The Waves was developed during an unusually transitional period for Wynne. Recording took place around her first international tour, a move across the world and her efforts to establish a new life following years of isolation.
Wynne Handles More Than a Dozen Instruments
Rather than relying entirely on a conventional studio environment, Wynne recorded portions of the album while travelling, including sessions conducted in hotel rooms with a laptop. She plays more than a dozen instruments across the project, reinforcing the record’s self-produced character.
Justin Abel, whose credits include Noelle Johnson and The Talbott Brothers, provided mixing and additional production. Mastering was handled by Alan Douches, whose previous credits include Sufjan Stevens, Motörhead and LCD Soundsystem.
The album also brings together a group of guest musicians, including cellist Bethany Joyce, violinist Avelyn Reynolds, guitarist Brooks Berg, drummers Adam Brzycki and Randy Cooke, and flugelhorn player Henry Sheppard.
Alex Lifeson Collaboration Adds Canadian Rock Connection
One of the album’s most notable contributors is Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, adding a significant Canadian connection to Wynne’s latest solo project.
Wynne is also the vocalist for Envy of None, the alternative rock group featuring Lifeson. Their ongoing collaboration has connected Wynne’s solo work with a broader rock audience, particularly among listeners familiar with Lifeson’s decades-long career with Rush.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Lifeson remarked: “I’ve never had that kind of inspiration working with another musician.”
The record also features Dan Avidan on “Another Step.”
Album Includes 12 Tracks and Multiple Physical Editions
Into The Waves consists of 12 songs: “Nothing Stays The Same,” “Satellites,” “In A Dream,” “Creatures In The Night,” “False gods,” “Another Step (Featuring Dan Avidan),” “See The Water,” “Underwater,” “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye,” “Breathe,” “Don’t Wait” and “Girl Dinner.”
The release will be available in several physical formats. A gatefold two-LP edition on purple and transparent turquoise vinyl will combine the new record with Wynne’s 2024 album Out Of The Dark, marking that album’s first vinyl release. A black-vinyl two-LP edition will offer the same pairing, while a digipack CD edition will include an eight-page printed booklet.
Touring Experience Builds Wynne’s Profile
Wynne has previously toured extensively across the United States and has shared stages with artists including Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls and Tanya Tucker. She has also appeared at events including the Red Ants Pants Music Festival and Timber! Outdoor Music Festival.
Her work has attracted coverage from publications and broadcasters including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Guitar World and NPR Music.
With Into The Waves, Wynne is bringing together material developed across several years with more recent experiences from touring and major personal transitions. The album is scheduled for release on September 25, with pre-orders now available ahead of its physical and digital launch.