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| It is a strong and promising debut album Photo: Kirsten Mcternan |
Their brand new debut is a work of undistorted, yet noisy guitar pleasure, where stories are
being told, melodies are displayed, and above all, new guitar music is
unleashed.
Released on
Succulent Records in Cardiff, the album release is a thorough follow up to
their two single releases 72 & Sunny and Peripheral Vision.
Led by indie
producer legend Rory Attwell (The Vaccines, Sisteray, Palma Violets, Telegram and
Veronica Falls), the eleven tracks on the album were steered at Lightship 95 recording
studio in east London. Offering sonic vibrancy accompanied by rich nuanced
soundscapes, there is no doubt this is an example of a very strong production
brimming with promise, obvious talent and a creative identity.
One of the key points
to make about the album does in fact lead on to several points; it is a
multi-layered creative composition, which makes it a challenging, engaging and entertaining
listen. It is album, which can be enjoyed on many different levels.
Lyrically and
thematically, some interesting facets are on display. Previously, the band
members have explained how when they first started jamming, the theme was the
Welsh exodus to Patagonia. At a first listen, it may seem hard to make out what is
being sung but a second and third listen seem to enhance that outcome as it gradually brings the listener in or closer to the essence of the album.
The album has a
strong feeling of being on a journey, logistically as well as psychologically, a
sense of moving from one location to another and describing that journey in some detail.
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| Photo: Kirsten Mcternan |
As well as ticking a 'rock' box, each track is
very catchy with songs such as Peripheral Vision, 72& Sunny and Dutch Wine
topping this category. Dutch Wine has a unique, wonderfully piercing guitar
tone to it, which quite possibly makes it one of the strongest songs on the album. But saying that the overall bar is set pretty high to begin with.
Addressing the
curious, engaged listener out there, Wylderness is a strong, highly
promising debut album, which is likely to leave you both intrigued and challenged, wondering exactly when the next Wylderness album release is likely to come and how it is
going to sound. This is a band who are here to stay and we should definitely give them a warm welcome.
Wylderness - Wylderness
Out of 10: 8/10