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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Wayward Kind

The Wayward Kind
Avalanche EP

Street Date: April 25, 2018
Style: Acoustic Rock
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: TheWayWardKind.com
Buy It: AmazonMP3



The state of Kansas isn't well-known for its citizens forming famous bands. A few bands have gone on to make something of themselves, such as Pillar, Abandon Kansas, and...well, Kansas. All that being said, there is no shortage of musical acts in the state, as Hutchinson-native Jeremy Stokely can attest. Under the name The Wayward Kind, Stokely has begun writing and recording songs that he wrote while deployed in the Middle East. His latest album is the Avalanche EP, which features five songs that cover a few different genres. The best description for The Wayward Kind's sound would be acoustic rock; electric guitars aren't completely absent from the mix, but they play a relatively minor role in the grand scheme of the sound. In general, Avalanche is almost like a collection of rock ballads, like "Scandalous," which would make a great softer moment in the middle of a hard rock album. However, this is also an example of a song that would sound great as a harder rock song, much like most of this album. With the songs in an acoustic format, Stokely ends up singing in a breathy voice, noticeably holding himself back, when it's likely that he has a strong voice. Though the acoustic setting does provide some more intimate moments (and even some nice guitar work, like in "Moment"), I'd love to hear him belt it out over a crunchy guitar riff. The last two songs of the EP also hold the EP back a little, each for a different reason. "Invincible" recalls Stokely's time in the Middle East and the difficulties associated with it, but the verses are rapped instead of sung. It's vaguely reminiscent of early Mat Kearney, but Stokely's flow is fairly basic, and it seems a little odd in the context of the EP. "Chariot" goes back to singing, but the reserved nature of the vocals makes them sound a little weaker here. Additionally, the lyrics are sweet and would obviously mean a lot to the recipient, but they aren't objectively strong lyrics ("She's my home when traveling, she makes me well, she's medicine...She is fire, she burns my soul, she is rock and she is roll"). Overall, there's more to like about The Wayward Kind than not. I would love to hear future releases feature perhaps some heavier instrumentation, shying away from strictly acoustic material, while Stokely develops his vocals a little more. But despite its imperfections, Avalanche has some great moments, and makes for an interesting release.

- Review date: 7/5/18, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan Resurrection Power - EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure (2025 Remaster) [Resuscitation]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Hulvey HE WILL RETURN - EP [Reach]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
VaShawn Mitchell SOUNDCHECK [Fair Trade]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
The Band JAREN Poetic - Single [Hit and Run]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
EJ Swavv & Jericko Love Like This - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
goodwill. REST - Single [Syntax]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mat Kearney Good Old Days - Single (independent)
Kelo Car Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas I Need You (ft. IsaiahLaRoi) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro No Place - Single [Syntax]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea Breakthrough - Single [DREAM]
Razzie & Glenn Ray Second Chances - Single [Syntax]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Wayne Klassik HOLY HOLY HOLY - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)
Unseen Faith Cold Resolve - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Kim Zamolo Your Ways Are Higher - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
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SINGLES
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Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


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