2023 is building to be a huge year for WBW, as they released no new material whatsoever in 2022 yet here we already have their third single for 2023, following on the massive success of both “Give ‘em Hell” and “Misery” which have seen major airplay in the States. This shows the band following a more overtly commercial path than with much of their other releases in that singer Michael Murphy is very much front and centre and the guitars are for the most part kept in the background. There is a sweet, almost angelic, vocal introduction and then the crunch we have become very used to before the guitars drop away and instead of a driving rock number we have something which is far more sedate and melodic. The “standard” WBW style does come back for the chorus, but the next verse sees them again performing in a style which feels very American and aimed at the radio. It is a powerful way of demonstrating the different sides of WBW, who have never been afraid of mixing it up, venturing into areas other rock bands would not touch, and it is very much a singer’s song in that this has really allowed Michael to show a different side to his vocals, and to remind everyone he has his first #1 NZ Gold single when he was just 16 years old.
The difference between this and the first single of the year, the dramatic and punchy “Give ‘em Hell” is remarkable in every area, with this being far gentler and the other being much more of a rocker, yet lyrically this is dark as it is an in-depth, yet metaphorical look inside the breakdown; that feeling of knowing a mental health episode is perhaps imminent, or the realisation of knowing you are in a dark place that you wish to get out of. It is a logical continuation of the work the band have been undertaking to promote mental awareness with the likes of ‘Secrets’ and ‘The Collab Project’, and it will be interesting to see if listeners recognise the import of the subject WBW are raising. Three new songs, a European tour later this year, the next album on the horizon, here is a band from the end of the world who have the potential to be big. Very big indeed.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://writtenbywolves.com/
