With Wilco’s dedication to an ever-changing sound, each new release by the group feels like a revelation. From punk rock bangers to alt-country tracks alike, fans know that Wilco never shies away from experimenting with different genres, but the other thing that remains consistent with this group? Making quality music. Over the course of Wilco’s 30+ years in existence, their albums have almost always sounded different from one other, but each song still retains true structural integrity and is crafted with clear intention. So, could this group of musicians, who have really promoted themselves to something like sound architects at this point, make a bad EP? Well that just seems impossible at this point.

Wilco’s latest EP Hot Sun Cool Shroud is a solid work. This collection of six tracks were recorded by the band during the sessions for their 2023 album Cousin, the well-regarded project that saw the group bring in their first outside producer, Cate Le Bon, since 2007. These last few songs were left incomplete for months after the session until singer Jeff Tweedy came together with frequent collaborator Tom Schick to complete them. The result is Hot Sun Cool Shroud, a true summer EP that shows off Wilco’s signature impressive range yet again.

Tweedy said that this EP embodies an “summertime-after-dark kind of feeling,” and the first track really fits the bill. “Hot Sun” is a track full of rolling guitars that have trailed in from some dusty desert highway, eighth notes made of dried snakeskin boots that are caked with soot and mud. Dense layers form throughout the track as strings meet sunny guitar chords forming an altogether summery, cinematic track. The cool, twangy rock sound here feels a lot like some of the songs from the group’s 2022 album Cruel Country, and is a reminder of Tweedy’s humble origins with the alt-country band Uncle Tupelo.

After the first song, Wilco doesn’t leave anyone guessing about their experimental range and rockets into the instrumental punk rock track “Livid”. This song is one of pure controlled chaos with electric guitars building into a frenzy as quick-thinking drums spur it all along. Still, at just over a minute long, “Livid” serves as a transitional track in the EP, more of a high-energy blip rather than a full song. It is definitely one of the more “aggressive and angular” tracks Tweedy mentioned ahead of the EP’s release.

In the song “Ice Cream” Wilco takes things back slow with a family of delicate strings floating underneath sentimental lyrics that tell the story of a memory of a romance. Delicate and dreamy, the track feels like falling asleep in a soft patch of sunlight, continuing on the summery theme of the EP. Although it is in stark contrast to the previous track, the switch-up is welcome and sweet.

In “Annihilation” Tweedy’s soft mumbly, vocals are framed by a much more classic alt-rock electric guitar sound. The song is certainly catchy and fun, but also relatively simplistic as it features many repeating chord progressions. While lacking complexity, it is still certainly enjoyable. (For reference, I am tapping my foot while writing this.)

“Inside the Bell Bones” is probably the most experimental track on the EP with funky acoustic guitars strumming in oddly high pitches alongside drums and other miscellaneous percussive noise. The instrumental track gives off an eerie, almost tropical feeling, building from an initial harried terseness into a soft, summery shroud. “Say You Love Me” is the intimate closer on this EP and it’s rife with delicate, reflective piano and soft strings. Sweet and pastoral, the song feels like a farewell, something of The Beatles or Simon & Garfunkel variety that would play at the end of a ‘90s romcom. (Or, in this case, at the end of the Hot Sun Cool Shroud EP.)

The beautiful structure and intentional creation that makes up much of Wilco’s discography is still obvious in this EP, and is another sign of why Wilco is often regarded as one of the best bands of the 21st century. (Because, well, they are.) Still, the EP doesn’t quite have the same truly memorable, iconic sounds as fans of many of their past albums still yearn for. (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot…Summerteeth…you know exactly what I’m talking about.) Still, Hot Sun Cool Shroud is certainly a pleasant listen with a whole lot of moving parts. From romantic folk ballads to rocketing noise-rock tracks, the EP is yet another testament to the consistent talents of a group that has been at it for over 30 years.

As Tweedy said about the EP, “[it’s got] all the pieces of summer, including the broody cicadas.” That about sums it up perfectly. Personally, I will be adding the EP to my summer rotation, although probably not to my favorites list. Dad rock and beach, anyone?

Pre-order Hot Sun Cool Shroud by Wilco HERE