Wild Electronic Beasts

Wild Beasts’ third album “Smother” is a departure from more traditional rock elements and focuses on spacey electronics. Lead singer Hayden Thorpe’s crooning voice is the most unique aspect of the band and delivers some memorable melodies throughout the album. The vocals from Thorpe especially remind me of fellow UK native act Antony and the Johnsons.

The opener “Lion’s Share” uses a soft and dark piano-driven tune to create an enjoyable melody, showing the change in sound to a more electronic tendency. “Albatross,” the album’s single, is mellow and soft with pleasant harmonies.

The lyrics on “Smother” are pensive, self-reflective, and deal with the traditional topic of relationships. Next to the vocals, the production on the album is another strong feature. Working with the same producer, Richard Formby as their last album, “Two Dancers,” the album’s sound is clean and the mix is top tier. This album may not be a classic, but its strengths keep it entertaining. It may even prove to be the perfect soundtrack for the rainy days of Spring and Summer.

By Tony Fowler