The Wilder Blue's Zane Williams on New Album 'Cinco' and Outside Collaborations
The Wilder Blue released their fifth album, Cinco, on Aug. 28, featuring outside musicians for the first time. Lead singer Zane Williams said they invited trusted Texas players to record at Sonic Ranch, treating them as honorary band members. The album maintains their harmony-driven sound while expanding their sonic range.
The recording sessions for Cinco took place over nine days at Sonic Ranch, a studio complex in Tornillo, Texas, near the border with Mexico. Alongside the core five members, the sessions featured fiddle player Steve Auburn, steel guitarist Harrison Yount—known for his work with Cody Johnson—and keyboardist Travis Bishop, all of whom were invited to contribute feedback as equals during the process.
The album also marks a continued emphasis on outside songwriting voices. Phoenix Mendoza wrote or co-wrote three tracks, including the solo-written "Last Chance for Dancin'" and the cinematic opener "Sinners and Strays," which Williams describes as a meditation on brotherhood. The band previously collaborated with Brent Cobb on their 2023 album Super Natural and with Luke Combs on a rendition of the Eagles' "Seven Bridges Road."
This album's blend of trusted Texas session players with a tight-knit harmony group may reinforce the value of regional music communities in an era of increasingly isolated, home-studio production. By modeling their collaborative approach on classic acts like the Eagles, the band could inspire younger artists to seek out in-person creative partnerships. For listeners, the release offers a reminder that genre traditions—particularly harmony-driven country—remain vital and adaptable, potentially strengthening appreciation for Texas's distinct musical identity.