The opening 30 seconds of Wintersleep’s fourth album New Inheritors is a clear indication that this album is going to feature some different sounds from Wintersleep that we have not yet heard on their previous albums. The orchestral strings of Experience the Jewel start off the song before changing to some simple guitar strums with Paul Murphy’s vocals before being joined in by Loel Campbell pounding a single drum before the sounds of strings, drums, vocals, bass, and guitars all explode together for the chorus. Wintersleep do not disappoint with this brilliant effort full of what you would expect from Wintersleep: intricate lyrics often dark in nature delivered in Paul Murphy’s deep post-punk style, an exceptional rhythm section anchored by Loel at the drum kit, and fuzz guitars. While bands like Interpol and Editors (whom Wintersleep were opening up for in Europe earlier this year) have had initially promising careers turn to predictable and somewhat boring pathways, Wintersleep are able to continue to put out songs that will satisfy and excite old fans while bring new fans into the mix. The first single New Inheritor has the catchy guitar hook and organ sounds that you can immediately picture being played on the radio while driving through back roads, it also contains songs such as Mausoleum that feature over six minutes of changing song structures and the band rocking out in a song that captures the feeling of their live shows. Not all is doom and gloom, as the strings of Preservation are able to bring out the beauty in Murphy’s voice and demonstrate the wide spectrum of emotions that he can portray through his vocal delivery.
What makes this a great album is the way that each song fits onto the album in an orderly fashion. Nothing feels out of place. The 12 songs and below an hour length, as well as the cohesiveness and strength of all the songs make it an album that you can easily sit down and enjoy straight through in one listen.
Wintersleep – Mausoleum
