Album Review: Wild Things

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Pip Brown is the kind of musical artist I forever wish that the world had more of, – intuitive, intentional and innovative. Everytime a new Ladyhawke album is released, the incremental advances towards an even more polished, cohesive and  genre defying sound are obvious.

The opening single of her newest release Wild Things, Love Song has been on radio rotation for a while and gives an almost self-deprecating, meta feel to the well known cliches surrounding writing about love in general or even the  songwriter’s own love life experiences. There’s a hesitancy lyrically that nuances what is an extremely catchy, feel-good pop chorus.

The mixing is solid throughout the album, tight crisp drums and raucous, crunchy synth layered almost delicately over some pieces – it feels like the vocals are sitting a wee bit lower in the songs overall, but it works so well – adds a closeness to the sound, whilst not hindering lyric recognition. Listening throughout, there are reflective elements of a lot different, current artists and genres (Dance hall style beats and soaring Swedish pop hooks) but the album feels fresh and new.

The collection flows smoothly through all eleven songs  - Golden Girl is my personal standout – catchy and upbeat with a chorus that resorts back to a really great, understated guitar riff and a refrain reminiscent of Swedish pop trio NO NO NO.