Fernando And The Wolf: "The Polkadot EP" (2026) CD Review

Though having played together for several years on various albums, Fernando Perdomo and Kaitlin Wolfberg only recently announced their new duo project, playfully titled Fernando And The Wolf. And if you know Fernando Perdomo at all, you won't be surprised that this new duo already has an EP out. He is not a musician to waste any time. The duo's first EP is also playfully titled, The Polkadot EP. If you've seen them perform, you might have noticed their penchant for wearing black with white clothing with polkadots (and, in Fernando's case, also stars). So the title makes perfect, delightful sense. Some of the songs on this disc are ones that are being revisited in this new configuration, while others were composed by the duo. 

The EP opens with "Revealed," which was released as a single on October 1st (and if you own that disc, you'll see the polkadots on its cover). This is a song that was written by Fernando Perdomo, and included on his The Leo August Album. Kaitlin Wolfberg not only contributes some beautiful work on violin, but also on vocals, joining her voice with Fernando's to tell us, "Life is a mystery/You don't know what it's gonna be/You're just gonna have to wait and see/All will be revealed." There is something so positive in this, even before the "All will be revealed" line. And I love the way the music swells before the end, that section containing some excellent violin work. That's followed by "Over And Over Again," one of the songs composed by both Fernando and Kaitlin. It begins with some wonderful vocal work, the first lines delivered a cappella, so we really get a chance to understand just how good these two sound together. And when it kicks in, the song has such a positive, cheerful sound, even including hand claps. There is a sweet, delightful pop sound, with a good beat. "Open your eyes/I see the love inside/I'm not surprised." These lines also stand out: "Wrapped in your arms/Is where I should reside." Ah, yes. I love this. This song is a nice reminder that pop music can still be good. If you pay close attention, at the very end, you'll hear Fernando say, "Cool." Indeed!

"Home" is one of my favorite Fernando Perdomo songs. It was included on his Zebra Crossing album in 2018, and that was the first version I heard. The song is sometimes titled "Home Is Wherever You Are," as it was on 45's The Best and as it is on this new EP. I've seen Fernando and Kaitlin perform this song together, and it's always something special. I'm so happy that they've recorded a new version of this song for this EP. Kaitlin adds her voice to the chorus: "Home, home is wherever you are/Home can be out in the stars/Home can be Venus or Mars." This is a particularly moving and ultimately powerful rendition. That's followed by "Rain In LA," another song written by Fernando and Kaitlin together. "Rain, so rare for L.A./Rain, so needed today," Fernando sings, those first lines making me think back to the time of the fires, when the city had been in desperate need of rain. This is an excellent song, with an intriguing sound, particularly to the violin work, which has an ethereal, psychedelic, even eerie sound. The percussion gives this one a different vibe too. "The sunshine can wait/Give me rain." I could do without the storm sound effect in the second half, but the instrumental section that immediately follows it is absolutely fantastic, including some outstanding guitar work. This is one of my favorites.

"Smile Even If It Hurts," like "Home," was included on Zebra Crossing. There it was titled simply "Smile," and it was my favorite song on that album. This new duo version is even better. Do yourself a favor and check out this song. "Sadness don't look good on you." And they urge us, "Smile, smile, smile/Even if it hurts." Halfway through, it takes on this incredible intensity. Wow, this is something special. I love how even as they urge us to smile, the violin has a somewhat sad bent. And it makes sense to return to that opening line then, "Woe is you, woe is you." The EP concludes with a song written by Kaitlin Wolfberg, "Road Less Travelled," an earlier version of which is available online. On this track, she sings lead, delivering a beautiful, moving performance. "Well, there's no turning back now, is there?" This rendition has an intimate sound, particularly in that first section. Partway through, Fernando Perdomo adds his voice to hers, "I've seen pain and death and sorrow/Haven't been here for long/But at least at the dawn/I'll have been here for one more day." Wow. And then it grows in power. What a beautiful and striking rendition of an excellent song. I am looking forward to hearing more from this duo.

CD Track List

1. Revealed
2. Over And Over Again
3. Home Is Wherever You Are
4. Rain In LA
5. Smile Even If It Hurts
6. Road Less Travelled

The Polkadot EP was released in early November, and apparently is available only at their shows. So be sure to pick up a copy when you see them perform.