Ball of Wax 65 Songs: Tekla Waterfield – “New Skies”

The gently optimistic “New Skies” is the title track of Tekla Waterfield’s brand-new album (the release of which she and her band are celebrating next Tuesday at the Tractor. You should go). As the title suggests, the overall feel is light and breezy, full of the brightness and potential in the big wide world (and yes, this album was written and recorded pre-pandemic). Acoustic guitars and lightly shuffling drums and Tekla’s sweet, high voice welcome you into a world of possibility, although the first verse does end with a gentle warning, as it takes a minor turn: “There’s no place to hide.” Which is absolutely true: The future may, indeed, be brimming with limitless possibility and beauty, or it may be a nightmarish hellscape, but we absolutely cannot hide from it. It feels a bit more manageable, though, with Tekla and her band holding our hands and guiding us along.