In honor of Earth Day, Sawyer Fredericks has released his third independent full-length album, No Need To Wonder, a folk-rock record that explores themes of home, environmental responsibility, and social change.
This marks Fredericks’ first album since 2020’s Flowers for You. Conceived as a literal “folk rock” album, No Need To Wonder is structured in two halves: the first grounded in acoustic folk and the second shifting into a blues-infused rock sound connected by the instrumental bridge “A Full Life.”
The album’s opening tracks were previously released as The Golden Tree EP and reflect Sawyer’s personal ideas of home: his family, the farm he grew up on, and his music. The title track, “No Need To Wonder,” expands the concept of home to include our natural world.
“This song was written with the idea that people could sing it together. But as it goes on, the lyrics get heavier—it sets the tone for everything that follows.”
– Sawyer Fredericks
Fredericks is joined on these tracks by longtime bandmates Jerome Goosman(dobro/electric guitar), Gannon Ferrell (bass/banjo guitar), and Chris Thomas(drums) with members of The Accidentals—Sav Madigan (violin) and Katie Larson (cello) adding strings and background vocals to the songs on the first half of the album.
Following the instrumental “A Full Life,” the album transitions into its bolder, folk-rock second half. Fredericks swaps his acoustic guitar for an acoustic bass, and the lyrics take on a sharper political edge. The standout track “Mother” calls out government inaction on environmental policy with raw, urgent energy. “I believe citizens can and should reduce waste,” Fredericks says. “But real change has to come from those in power. Big corporations create most of the damage—and they need to be held accountable.”
Other songs dive into character studies and cultural critiques. “Imposter at Heart” unpacks narcissism with a catchy rhythm, while “Bad Luck” rides a bluesy groove powered by banjo and full band dynamics.
“Funeral Parking Only,” inspired by a songwriting prompt, takes aim at the housing crisis and the generational struggle to afford land or property. Sawyer Fredericks reflects: “Unless you were born wealthy, owning land today feels almost impossible. That line became a metaphor for a system where you inherit land or wait until someone dies.”
The album ends with “Ain’t Ya Proud,” a searing indictment of systemic failure, delivered with fierce vocals and an urgent, stripped-down arrangement. It closes on an audible inhale—an intentional breath, signaling frustration with our failure to confront the many injustices that exist in our country.
No Need To Wonder was recorded at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock, in two separate sessions with his band, Gannon Ferrell, Jerome Goosman, and Chris Thomas, as well as Sav Madigan and Katie Larson (The Accidentals).
2025 marks ten years since Fredericks won The Voice at age 16. He has intentionally chosen an independent path rooted in authenticity, activism, and artistic freedom. After years of touring and a pandemic-induced pause, Sawyer chose to spend 2024 writing, recording, and building a community close to home. That time at home resulted in this personal collection of songs that express things he deeply cares about.
Fredericks will be performing his yearly ‘Sawyertoga’ weekend at Caffe Lena over Memorial Day, with more tour dates to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, click here.
Sawyer Fredericks Upcoming Shows
May 1 – Jonathan’s Ogunquit, Ogunquit, ME
May 2 – Maine Homeschool Conference, Augusta, ME
May 23 – Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
May 24 – Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
June 1 – The East Room, Nashville, TN
Comments are closed.