It’s been four years since The Wombats’ last album but this has been well worth the wait. They have already released three singles since the development of the album, which show us that the boys from Liverpool are no longer dancing round in their bedrooms to Joy Division, and their newest album ‘Glitterbug’ continues this trend.
The first track ‘Be Your Shadow’ clearly shows how their signature sound has developed since This Modern Glitch was released in 2011. Their sound is more complex, electronic and layered, seeming to draw on wider inspiration than simply indie-rock. Instantly you can see their transformation: their beats are slicker and heavier, there are notes of glam-rock within the bridge of the opener, even Matthew Murphy’s boyish charm seems to have developed into something more sophisticated. The Wombats appear to be all grown up as they sing about an inability to let go of a worryingly dysfunctional relationship.
‘Curveballs’ follows the same trend, for the first time with The Wombats it feels less about the lyrics and more about the sound. The beats are heavier, sultrier and the general make up of the song more complex, however some signature ‘aahs’ towards the end ensures that they don’t deviate too far from the style that made them so popular. ‘Emoticons’ is symbolic of their traditional quirky humour – full of innuendo and pop-culture references – with Murphy deviating almost into falsetto in the chorus as they sing about technology’s failings with regards to repairing relationships.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8GRiiaef3s&w=740&h=422]
Their songs remain largely relationship and romance-themed, ‘Give Me A Try’ – one of the singles released before the album – is no exception. It’s clear The Wombats are trying to access a wider demographic with seductive invitations such as “I just need you in that fur coat / with only my necklace on underneath”. The chorus is classic-Wombat – bouncy and guitar heavy with Murphy pleading “just give me a try”, all echoey vocals and sexual innuendos with a banging guitar solo in the middle – it’s clear to see why this one was released as a single. ‘Give Me A Try’ perfectly bridges the new and the old sound of The Wombats. Many songs on the album – not least ‘Sex and Question Marks’ have much more adult themes and it’s lovely to see that the quality of the music has developed alongside these. The Wombats perfectly tread the balance of adult, but not crude, tongue-in-cheek but not insulting.
‘Greek Tragedy’ is slower, deviating into isolated drum beats which punctuate Murphy’s confession that “she hits like ecstasy”, there seems to be a hint of xylophone, a nod to their previously youthful and quirky sound. Similar techniques are used in ‘Your Body Is A Weapon’ which was admittedly not the female-empowerment anthem that I was expecting but nevertheless it is lyrically endearing and auditorily pleasing.
‘Pink Lemonade’ is reminiscent of adolescence, nights out and first love. Their laid-back beats and use of electronica makes it the perfect summer song despite its slightly controversial references to spiking drinks and adultery. Like many songs on this album, one can allow the lyrics to wash over them and enjoy The Wombats’ new sound – which has been a long time coming but oh so worth the wait.
Words by Beth Chaplow