Wand are one of the most underrated rock bands of modern times. Over the past decade, the Los Angeles four-piece have built a reputation as an ambitious yet accessible outfit without receiving the mainstream praise they deserve.
After five superb records arrives the similarly excellent ‘Vertigo’. Their first studio outing in half a decade is a captivating psychedelic journey through textured, cohesive guitar and synth sounds.
Wand’s home-recorded latest contains eight multi-layered tracks crafted from jam sessions that are alluring from the off. Opener Hangman, with its buzzing guitar layers and ominous instrumentation, sets the standard high early doors.
Blink and you’ll then miss the seamless transition into Curtain Call, a track maintaining a similar sense of unease while adding keys, strings and claustrophobic riffs.
‘Vertigo’ carries a strong Radiohead influence throughout and, at times, sounds like a purposely nostalgic Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood side project, even if its ambitious scope shakes off any caricaturist accusations. The best example of this is the third track Mistletoe. Its oppressive horns, disco beat and anxiety-laden orchestration wouldn’t sound out of place on the Oxford band’s left-field fourth record, ‘Kid A’.
Later, Wand expand their horizons on Smile for the record’s inarguable highpoint. Layers of fuzzy guitars, crashing drums and a closing refrain of “running back to morning light” increase the temperature towards the explosive.
Intent on pushing the boat out again, the noisy feedback on High Tide offers a thunderous climax, contrasting to the blissful piano and strings on closer Seaweed Head. ‘Vertigo’ is very easy to get lost in: 39 minutes of breathtaking quality from one of rock’s best kept secrets.
Wand Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue October 29 2024 - LONDON Moth Club
Wed October 30 2024 - MANCHESTER YES (The Pink Room)
Thu October 31 2024 - DUBLIN Workmans Club
Fri November 01 2024 - BELFAST Ulster Sports Club
Sat November 02 2024 - GLASGOW Nice n' Sleazy
Sun November 03 2024 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Mon November 04 2024 - BRISTOL Strange Brew
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