ALBUM REVIEW: Our Guest Can’t Be Named – The Wytches
Newly signed to Alcopop! Records, Brighton band THE WYTCHES have released their fourth studio album Our Guest Can’t Be Named. Taking their sound in a slightly darker direction, the rock band explore themes of loss of identity and self-exploration, against a backdrop of surf-rock, with some grunge and gothic elements. While the band formed over ten years ago, their latest album is a fresher take on everything they already know, inspired partly by the introduction of a new drummer, Demelza Mather, and partly by the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. This gave them the opportunity to inspect their signature sound and explore where they would like to take their music next. Beginning in vocalist Kristian Bell’s home recording studio, he was heavily inspired by the music of NEIL YOUNG, which helped him to “lose this idea of trying to become a perfectionist,” ultimately creating a more personal album.
Opening the album is Zep Step, a fairly light track with distorted, classic rock sounding guitars and a driving drum beat pushing it forward. Bell’s gravelly vocals highlight the more grunge elements of the song, and the lyrics are uncertain and questioning, which sets the tone of the album from the beginning. Next is Maria, a track which the band have actually played live for many years, but have only now chosen to release. The addictive bassline is easily the best part of the song, and as it builds up the vocals reflect the urgency created as they slowly become more emotive and desperate as the lyrics intensify. While this may be an older song for the band, it fits effortlessly into the themes and sound of this album. As some of the lyrics across the album are a darker, more in depth exploration of depression and feelings of helplessness, the sound often reflects this, and the occasional addition of a piano helps to create a numb, gloomy atmosphere.
As the album progresses, some of the more unique and catchy songs can be heard. Bats, for example, is a raw and honest portrayal of a hopeless, crushing kind of love with Bell’s vocals at the forefront. It is tracks like this, and Unsure, where the lyrics are the most important element, that are beautifully poetic. The latter is especially moving, and with the release of emotion towards the end, the distorted guitars bring a level of drama that really elevates the song. The album closes with Fool, which is arguably one of the most memorable tracks. The vocals sound incredible, with metaphors that capture the emotions of self-exploration and understanding personal identity perfectly. With some really pretty guitars, the emotion in the lyrics matches with the sound completely.
While Our Guest Can’t Be Named is a dark, dramatic album, the lyrics mean it is also very real and honest. It is able to mix genres effortlessly, with gothic elements and a grunge, surf-rock sound, and it is undeniable that THE WYTCHES are growing and pushing themselves here.
Rating: 7/10
Our Guest Can’t Be Named is out now via Alcopop! Records.
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