SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LADYHAWKE – WILD THINGS

Ladyhawke
Wild Things
Polyvinyl Records

If you take the ingenious synthy goodness of CHVRCHES and the catchy Pop hooks of Carly Rae Jepsen and throw them in a blender, what you’ll get is probably something close to the third album from New Zealand native Pip Brown, alias Ladyhawke. Wild Things is an album best characterized by its colourful and buzzy synth work, layered underneath Brown’s bright and carefree vocals. However, it is interesting to note that even with all the flamboyance and energy that is shown throughout the record, a sense of reservation can be fairly easily seen as well. It is easy to find oneself lost in all that the album has to offer, since most of it essentially conveys the same bright (and very well-executed) synthpop feel, but there are a couple points where this is broken. The title track, “Wild Things,” for example, is clearly an anthem of freedom and togetherness, but there is a hint of emotion in the song that makes it sound just a little bit nostalgic, perhaps even lamenting. Aside from the title track, another song off of Wild Things to display a bit more complexity is “Let It Roll” – a driving, fast-paced piece that, musically, carries a bit more urgency and edge than the rest of the tracks on the album. Otherwise, the remainder of the album, which is for the most part just authentic Synthpop, is executed extremely well. From the desire-filled “Sweet Fascination” to the closing track “Dangerous,” every song is jam-packed with bubbly, uplifting phrases that have the ability to entice and enchant. Wild Things, at its core, is simply a record that is bright, genuine, and a must listen for all lovers of Synthpop.

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