Not that their previous albums have had much in the way of ferocious anarchy. ‘Present Tense’ and the Mercury Prize-nominated ‘Two Dancers’ are both highly charming, lyrically nuanced records that explore ethereal but witty vocal introversion alongside a crisp, lean hybrid rhythm section that makes Wild Beasts both indie-disco ready and highly samplable.
At a distance, it feels like control and detail are at the creative epicentre of the band’s output, so is the name ironic? An in-joke for the fans, like Joy Division? Perhaps so. And yet you can’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Putting the nomenclature to the side for one minute, ‘Boy King’ is a fresh sounding record with great artwork that displays all the vocal versatility we’ve come to expect from the very talented Hayden Thorpe; alongside a degree of pared-back invention and tonal guile that UK music fans often take for granted.
Like their genre (and regional) cousins Everything Everything, their music feels highly-versed-but-approachable. It displays a northern pop intellectualism that is one part Trent Reznor and one part Dominic Mitchell, maintaining a high level of technical prowess in easy harmony with musical savvy and humour.
Additionally, the production and engineering by John Congleton gives this record a currency that is both likeable and American radio-friendly. Whether inventive arrangement choices, such as the mellotron-esque synth sounds on album climax Dreamliner or the high-pitched vocal motif on Ponytail, come directly from him is neither here nor there; this is a record of interesting sounds. It is crisp and precise. And yet you still can’t help but feel a little disappointed.
As with previous Wild Beasts offerings, the problem here is the lack of real risk taking on ‘Boy King’. We occasionally get close to it with the strangely choked guitar solo on Tough Guy or the monster-like call and response on Get My Bang, but it’s not enough. What this means is that the album doesn’t have much credit in the bank when tracks don’t really hit home.
In this context, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that this is an album of style over substance and one of timid choices masquerading as bold ones. It's the type of record that emboldens pub bores and their wrongheaded, but occasionally justified, barb that ‘there aren't any good bands any more'.
Wild Beasts Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Wed September 28 2016 - BRISTOL Motion Bristol
Thu September 29 2016 - OXFORD O2 Academy Oxford
Sat October 01 2016 - SHEFFIELD Foundry
Mon October 03 2016 - CAMBRIDGE Cambridge Junction
Tue October 04 2016 - LONDON Roundhouse
Wed October 05 2016 - LONDON Roundhouse
Fri October 07 2016 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Northumbria University
Sat October 08 2016 - GLASGOW Queen Margaret Union
Sun October 09 2016 - MANCHESTER Academy
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