By Cynthia Gross
On March 15, D.C.-based artist Harry Gray released his latest single, “Wild Again,” ft. guest emcee Tricktherapper, background vocalist Vedina Rose, and saxophonist and lyricist Mk Zulu. The warm, soulful track, inspired by David Attenborough’s documentary, “A Life on Our Planet,” reminds listeners of the importance of respecting the environment that we rely on to survive.
“All living organisms are interconnected and dependent on each other for sustainability on Earth,” Gray explained. “It is imperative that people understand the importance of natural selection and the integral roles that each of our natural habitats play in supporting future life and diversity. We only have one planet whose resources are finite, and if we as a people cannot come together as one and act, there may not be a World to nurture and raise future generations.”
“Wake up earthlings / We must make changes / Our world is burning / The world is burning,” Gray sings during the lead-in to the song’s refrain, “Make Earth wild again / I make the Earth wild again / Then make Earth wild again / And make Earth proud again.”
Such an important but weighty topic could easily result in a dispiriting composition, but Gray avoids that outcome, showcasing his adept musicianship and creative vision. The song’s hard-hitting, uncompromising lyrics are paired with a lovely, smooth backdrop of electric piano, saxophone, and a drum loop that emanate longing and nostalgia.
Rather than attempting to advance much-needed change through fear, Gray instead invites listeners to reengage with the beauty of nature. The wild earth that he longs to restore is a lush expanse full of wonder like “the faith of a child” and possibility. It is also a place that offers no refuge to injustice and inequity. Near the middle of “Wild Again,” Mk Zulu broadens the scope of the healing needed to restore the world to its intended state, commenting on the January 2021 Capitol riots and senseless killings of people of color, suggesting that the fallen state of our society is a reverberating effect of humans being disconnected from their roots.
“When we put destructive systems in place that negatively impact our environment and any form of life on earth, we are, in turn, hurting ourselves,” Gray shared. He stressed the importance of individuals viewing themselves as part of the planet’s regulatory system, which would naturally prompt greater responsibility.
Harry Gray, an Elizabeth, New Jersey native and Howard University alum, blurs the lines of soul, funk, R&B, and classic hip-hop in a compelling and original way. Fans of Lauryn Hill and A Tribe Called Quest will identify with his thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic delivery.
“Wild Again” serves as an urgent call to action. Either we start doing a better job of living in harmony with the earth, or we don’t. Even if the effects are incremental and easy to ignore in our daily hustle, our environment will respond accordingly. Listeners get the sense that Gray has faith in our ability to choose the former – perhaps because it’s difficult to fathom the alternative.
Stay tuned for upcoming releases from this rising talent. Check out “Wild Again” below and on the Alchemical Records MultiGenre Mixture playlist on Spotify.
Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
