The Wytches // Annabel Dream Reader
Surf doom brilliance on The Wytches highly anticipated debut...
Well this is an incredibly satisfying affair! The Wytches are such a punch-in-the-neck thrill to witness live I was concerned their hedonism couldn’t be captured on record. But here it is, bottled up in 13 intense packages, all doom, melancholy and groove. Full of the energy and passion of youth, the band seemingly give a fuck about everything, whilst simultaneously exuding the idea of being untouchable and nonchalant. It’s a heady mix that drags you in from opener ‘Digsaw’ all the way up until single ‘Robe For Juda’, never losing its skeletal grip.
It is heavy and it makes me DANCE. The bass is quite frankly addictive; thick, meandering and filled with purpose. It gives the record focus and backbone, leaving singer and guitarist Kristian Bell to fill out the insides with screams and licks that make my teeth hurt. The production is way slicker than their first offerings but there remains a squalid lo-fi, scuzz ball sound here that is absolutely brimming to the eyeballs with energy. It is reminiscent of The White Stripes first LP in that respect– not necessarily in content, but certainly in character.
Despite the urgency there are some surprisingly delicate moments; ‘Weights and Ties’ and ‘Summer Again’ show diversity and are downright heart breaking. As a result this record proves to be a storming combination of perfect psychedelic garage pop fit for dancing, surf doom melancholia and songs to make out to. Every element makes me weep in a totally appropriate way and for that, I am grateful.
8/10 - Ellie Jones
Well this is an incredibly satisfying affair! The Wytches are such a punch-in-the-neck thrill to witness live I was concerned their hedonism couldn’t be captured on record. But here it is, bottled up in 13 intense packages, all doom, melancholy and groove. Full of the energy and passion of youth, the band seemingly give a fuck about everything, whilst simultaneously exuding the idea of being untouchable and nonchalant. It’s a heady mix that drags you in from opener ‘Digsaw’ all the way up until single ‘Robe For Juda’, never losing its skeletal grip.
It is heavy and it makes me DANCE. The bass is quite frankly addictive; thick, meandering and filled with purpose. It gives the record focus and backbone, leaving singer and guitarist Kristian Bell to fill out the insides with screams and licks that make my teeth hurt. The production is way slicker than their first offerings but there remains a squalid lo-fi, scuzz ball sound here that is absolutely brimming to the eyeballs with energy. It is reminiscent of The White Stripes first LP in that respect– not necessarily in content, but certainly in character.
Despite the urgency there are some surprisingly delicate moments; ‘Weights and Ties’ and ‘Summer Again’ show diversity and are downright heart breaking. As a result this record proves to be a storming combination of perfect psychedelic garage pop fit for dancing, surf doom melancholia and songs to make out to. Every element makes me weep in a totally appropriate way and for that, I am grateful.
8/10 - Ellie Jones
