On Friday, May 16, Alligator Records will drop Truth Is, the new album from Texas powerhouse vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Carolyn Wonderland. Known for her fiery guitar riffs and soulful, raw vocals, Carolyn proves once again that she’s a master at weaving emotion and storytelling into every note. Truth Is is a timeless reflection of our current moment, available on CD, maroon vinyl LP, and across all major streaming platforms.
Produced by the legendary singer-songwriter/guitarist Dave Alvin—who also produced Carolyn’s Tempting Fate album — it’s a masterpiece in every sense. Not only did Alvin lend his talents as a producer, but he also co-wrote four of the tracks and contributed his own guitar on three of them. Carolyn recalls the experience, saying, “I’ve never had my ass handed to me so thoughtfully in the studio. I walked in with songs, and Dave took the parts I wasn’t tied to, threw on his ‘Mad Rearranger’ hat, and stripped everything back to what the song truly needed. He’s a genius—one of the best guitarists I’ve ever met and has a mind that can unravel a story like no other.”
The first track to debut from the album, “Sooner Or Later,” is out now on all digital platforms. Carolyn describes the song’s creation as an organic experience: “Sometimes a melody just sneaks up on you from the instrument itself. Maybe that’s why it’s so important to listen to your instrument—let it speak, instead of forcing your own ideas on it. The lap steel’s bittersweet tone led me to the lyrics, where I found a story about longing for connection—whether with people, neighbors, or even adversaries. In the end, it’s about asking ourselves: can we change when we’ve been wrong? Can we make peace with our pasts? I guess we’ll all find out sooner or later.”
On Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland weaves vivid, unforgettable songs that confront the world with unflinching honesty and a righteous sense of purpose. Her lyrics speak directly to the heart, telling hard truths that, as she puts it, “need to be told.” Driven by her razor-sharp yet tender fingerpicking guitar and a voice that’s as commanding as it is raw, Wonderland’s sound is a powerful mix of grit and vulnerability. When it comes to the album’s candid themes, she says, “There’s always hope, and we’re still here for each other, but eventually, you have to sing about the elephant in the room.”
Backing her up are bassist Naj Conklin and drummer Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio, along with an all-star cast of guests including fellow Alligator artist Marcia Ball and longtime friends Shelley King, Ruthie Foster, Cindy Cashdollar (the “Girl Gang,” as Wonderland calls them), Red Young, Bukka Allen, Kevin Lance, Henri Herbert, and Stuart Sullivan. Recorded and mixed by Sullivan at Wire Recording in Austin, Truth Is resonates with both raw energy and refined musicianship.
With her dynamic guitar playing, masterful songwriting, and signature Texas vocals, Carolyn Wonderland has cemented her place as a fiercely independent force in music. Performing professionally since the age of 15, she’s spent her entire career on the road, sharing stages with legends like Townes Van Zandt, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Dylan, and John Mayall (where she made history as the first female guitarist in the iconic Blues Breakers). Throughout, she’s carved her own path and told her own story.
In 2008, Wonderland began a fruitful partnership with the renowned Ray Benson, founder of the Grammy-winning Asleep At The Wheel, producing four albums together. Benson has called her voice “unbelievable, one of the great voices of our times.” Her immense talent has earned her the Austin Music Award for Best Blues Artist and Best Guitarist, as well as induction into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. She’s also been nominated for three Blues Music Awards.
With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland further solidifies her place among today’s most influential voices in roots music. Her music delivers the unvarnished truth of the blues, packing a punch that’s as inviting as it is uplifting. As Bob Dylan once told Ray Benson, “She’s something else. She should be nationwide.”
