Young Wonder, straight out, are a cut above the rest. Their unusual style, Rachel's unique image, the transcendental beats, everything combines to give this strange hypnotic music that just screams to your soul. With samples of bagpipes reaching into your soul, and chopped up vocals creating waves of audible sensations, they truly are something else.
The first time I recall hearing the group was when a friend linked me, as he was in the video. Peace. To You was the video, filmed on Lough Derg if I'm not mistaken, with numerous takes to perfect the walking sequence. Following Rachel, namely, walking through the trees with a shoe box containing a (presumably) deceased cat, it's an odd one. Dressed to impress, their image is not confined to everyday charity-shop styles. More headgear than a wartime soldier, the image is flawless. However, for the video it is a plain black attire, nothing too special, all things considered. The song is a lovely little peaceful banger of a tune, drifting with the choppy bagpipes and heavy basslines. The production is incredible, and sounds even more exceptional on record, which they released and I had to buy. It was a must.
It seems they fit very well into the Irish scene. Transcendental beats, laid back in the shack, the Irish scene is much more inclined at the moment to veer towards synth-style ambient electronic music. Nothing wrong with this, as one can so clearly see. It's always a joy to hear someone on the microphone speaking in a dirty Cork accent; reminds us of the hills back home, the rain and the poverty. Like Lethal Dialect, it's a privilege to be able to relate in such a way. National pride, yo.
The first album from the duo, now a threesome, I do believe, was simply entitled Young Wonder. Featuring (a personal favourite) Flesh, Tumbling Backwards, Orange, and such, was apparently based on samples. Not entirely sure where, but you can find them if you look hard enough. Incredibly melodic, with vocal hooks everywhere, it deserves more recognition. In comparison to the next release, Show Your Teeth, with a colab on Time from Sacred Animals, the album is nowhere near as experimental. Going all out, songs like To You and Electrified are highlighted throughout the album as being much more developed than the first release. Both excellence personified in their own rights, the latter is of a different breed.
Samples used are different throughout the songs, yet they retain their individual sound throughout. Relatively soft kicks, hard snares, and deep basslines, contrasted with high vocals, create a soundscape for the listener. Wide use is made of chopping vocals, which usually I wouldn't be in favour of, but this is different. Much different.
One beef I got; it can't be called electronic pop. Acid smoking, experimental fucking, cannabis injecting, transcendental abusing electronica is a much more descriptive genre. They indulge the listener in a profound landscape, leading them on a journey through the mind. You can't call that pop. However, I repent; it is not for me to decide. Not on this occasion. I digress.
Flesh is one of the more uplifting songs, compared to others. Still, melody and vocals shine through, creating a wonderfully contrasting piece. A theme, one should notice, is the longing of something else. They bring forth this feeling in the pit of your stomach, the centre of your being, in which you long for someone, or miss something. It's strange, but it shows the talent of the two and/or three. Other big names in the Irish side of the game share this strange aspect, but I won't talk about this here.
On a lesser/greater note, I saw them in Christchurch Cathedral. I bet you didn't. Epic.
It's only a matter of time before I have a Young Wonder tattoo. On my forehead. Riding a giant phallus. Into the sunset. Good day, and good night. Script.
Averagity rating: Above average. Need I say it?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngwondermusic
Bandcamp: http://youngwonder.bandcamp.com/album/young-wonder
No comments:
Post a Comment