Last Wild Lion are a 5-piece hailing from Edinburgh. Bringing 80s inspired, full of feeling choruses with a slight alternative rock slant, the new album ‘They’re Not Secrets Anymore’ features the 2017 single releases such as ‘This is Everything’ and ‘Seasons’ in addition to this year’s release, ‘Drive’. The latter of which premiered on Discovered Magazine’s Undiscovered.
With a wide range of influences from Jimmy Eat World to Children of Bodom, the new album is equally diverse but still carrying that unique feeling of something crazily familiar but breathtakingly surprising. You can catch this wonder of an outfit performing their first show on Saturday 24th November at one of Edinburgh’s favourite alternative venues, Henry's Cellar Bar. Now onto the review.
From the drop of the first ‘Hey’ I’m literally in love with the sound of this track. ‘Secrets With The Moon’, is laden with the softest of soft melodies, and glinting full of charm. It’s a beautiful hair raising opener in this album. Whereas ‘Drive’ shows us the versatility of Last Wild Lion: it is a less forgiving track, filled with more gumption than words can find. The sound is so eloquently assembled, it feels effortless. It reminds me of somewhere between Paramore and Cindy Lauper, with Sarah bringing a superbly classy tone to the vocals. You feel like you’re on a journey to something good with this one.
‘This Is Everything’ is a helping hand under the guise of another astounding hit. It’s a feel-good number with sweet riffs and subtle rhythms. Rolling tom toms resonate in tandem with clashing cymbals, utterly enchanting. Not to mention the vocal range on show. Likewise, ‘Room To Breathe’ is aptly named. Supercharged with chords that melt between the layers of twinkling and bending guitar arpeggios, rippling in the background. I feel like I’m floating on a magic carpet of winding synths and alt-rock.
‘Sky Lantern’ echoes its predecessor, in a similar fashion it keeps me flying in a dream like trance. But ‘Before I Knew You’ is only slightly more outstanding, it carries a more raucous sentiment, an homage to self-discovery and reminiscence. The declaration for someone special is felt in the punchy chorus and shuffling interludes.
‘Worse At Night’ showcases a clever vocal duo that plays like the soundtrack to a romantic blockbuster. The intelligently placed question and answer approach, is our musical storyteller. It offers an intimate and vulnerable relation to the band, adding yet another dimension to the repertoire on this album. The gems continue with ‘Seasons’, featuring greater use of minor tonalities which lilt along like distant whispers. The clever use of cadence in the lead into the chorus helps to provide a sense of optimism amongst these sadder passages. These rise in grandioso fashion to an epic build up towards the end.
‘Miracles’ is another upbeat number, more of a Scottish flavour to the vocals, it feels looser and more relaxed. The fun of this one can be found frolicking amongst the smashing drum backing which is paired wickedly with distorted guitar strumming. The beat pushes forward, bringing a relentless energy to the track which descends onto a pause of silence… It hangs in with a real trepidation, but the sense of apprehension is soon gone as the exposition concludes this tune. To close, ‘Curves & Shapes’ is a very classical ode to someone special. Whether it’s romance or a good friend, we all could benefit from hearing “…you don’t know how wonderful you are…”.
Overall the album is a feat of brilliance, a carefully composed and constructed alt-rock masterpiece that brings all the good vibes. Let yourself go and ride away on the dreamy adventures of They’re Not Secrets anymore, you won’t be disappointed.
Facebook: Facebook.com/Lastwildlion
YouTube: YouTube.com/Lastwildlion
Instagram: @lastwildlion
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/lastwildlion
Comments