Illusions (2019)

"The Way Down Wanderers’ album, "Illusions", reaches beyond the boundaries of bluegrass to span across multiple genres, from pop, blues, and roots rock, even to reggae and rap. Thematically steeped in past folklore, the Wanderers’ rhythmically modern, roots-influenced songs—all originals except the lead track, "Principles of Salt", written by Indianapolis singer-songwriter Joshua Powell—cover a wide range of subjects, from love "Heartlands" to friendship "Old Ford", creativity "All My Words", the beauty of nature "Crooked Pines", "Carolina Moonglow". "Patient Pretender" is about Austin and his wife adopting a stray puppy off the snowy streets of Chicago. With "Illusions", the Way Down Wanderers have produced a worthy experiment with form and genre in bluegrass music." (Americana Highways)