The latest entry in the band's series of Vulf Vault albums was produced by guitarist Cory Wong
(Image credit: Erika Goldring/FilmMagic)
Man, does Cory Wong ever sleep?
Already the author of three studio albums in 2021 – The Golden Hour, with sax hero Dave Koz, Turbo, with Dirty Loops, and Cory and the Wongnotes– (not to mention his new signature Stratocaster) Wong has re-joined his bandmates in Vulfpeck for yet another new studio album, Vulf Vault 005: Wong's Cafe.
Now, the presence of "vault" in the title might lead you to believe that Vulf Vault 005 is a compilation, and normally, you'd be right. Wong's Cafe is the latest entry in Vulfpeck's Vulf Vault album series, comprised previously of compilations of already-recorded material focusing on each member of Vulfpeck.
Naturally though, the ever-prolific Wong wanted his chapter in the series to be marked entirely with new material. You can get a sneak peek at that new material – in the form of lead single Smokeshow – below.
Not wanting to take a backseat for the song's full duration though, Wong dials in some dirt toward the song's end for an incredibly satisfying, air guitar-inducing, bend-heavy solo. Smokeshow truly demonstrates that, whether you're focusing on effective lead or rhythm styles in your own playing, you can learn a lot from listening to Wong's work.
Produced and even mixed by Wong himself, Vulf Vault 005: Wong's Cafe is set for a January 7 release via Vulf Records.
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Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.