Cover songs are the lifeblood of music - passed down like shared memories, they connect generations. Whether we’re belting them out at karaoke, sharing them as musical love letters, or paying tribute to the legends who shaped our lives, they’re ever-present. But it’s rare to come across a cover record that reinvents the familiar, bringing new light to well-worn tracks. Alexa Wildish’s After Love is that rarity - an EP that takes songs we thought we knew and twists them into kaleidoscopic beauty.

“Alexa Wildish has been steadily building herself a reputation of being a soulful and deeply emotional artist.” – Taste Of Country

You might remember Alexa Wildish from NBC’s The Voice in 2023, where her powerhouse performances captivated millions. But the real story was behind the scenes - a journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. Wildish, who first emerged with her self-titled EP of original songs in 2020, found herself honing not just her vocal talent, but the delicate art of reaching a song's emotional heart.

After Love's first single, Billie Eilish’s “everything i wanted,” is one of the most requested covers from her time on The Voice, and for good reason. Wildish reworks the pop hit, transforming it into a folk-tinged dreamscape that feels intimate and haunting. Meanwhile, her take Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” adds a raw rock edge that brings a new layer of grit to Petty’s iconic ode to autonomy. “I wanted to show a different side of myself with these songs, to break away from what people expect,” Wildish said of her song choices. "It’s about finding that emotional truth."

Her love of country also runs deep on the EP, most notably with her cover of Sonny Curtis and Ron Hellard’s “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” a song made famous by Keith Whitley in 1989. Wildish pays homage to the original while infusing it with her own style, creating a version that honors country roots while making it her own.

After Love also features covers of Cher’s “Believe,” Brandi Carlile’s “This Time Tomorrow” (a collaboration with fellow The Voice alum Lennon VanderDoes), and Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” - the track that first landed her a spot on the show. Each recording speaks to her wide-ranging musical sensibilities, from country to pop to rock, creating a snapshot of an artist deeply in touch with American music’s vast emotional landscape.

Alexa’s journey has been shaped by her early life in Southern California’s horse country, where her father’s collection of vintage guitars introduced her to the world of music. She began classical voice training at just seven years old, attending the Orange County School of the Arts and later Elon University, where she immersed herself in musical theater. But at 17, a pivotal moment came when she saw the Wailin’ Jennys open for Nickel Creek. That performance sparked a shift, pulling her away from Broadway dreams and into the world of Americana.

Wildish went on to audition for The Voice in 2019, looking for a chance to elevate her visibility. As a songwriter, she was just as ambitious, submitting her original material to Planet Bluegrass competitions, winning first place at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival that same year. Her voice, guitar, and octave mandolin have become her signature sound, blending into the modern Americana landscape she’s helping to shape.

Alexa Wildish's self-titled debut EP, released in 2020, was recorded in Nashville just before the world shut down. Produced by Dan Knobler and Russell Durham, that EP features collaborations with heavyweights like Ruth Moody of the Wailin’ Jennys, Hawktail’s Jordan Tice, and Miranda Lambert’s keys player Danny Mitchell. Wildish leaned on Durham again to produce After Love, a project that feels both lush and disciplined, a testament to her growth as an artist.