Kendal-based indie rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Wild BeastsÔÇÖ fourth album ÔÇÿPresent TenseÔÇÖ sees the light of day following a full year of studio work, after experiences of ÔÇÿburn outÔÇÖ from the two year touring cycle for previous album ÔÇÿSmotherÔÇÖ. The album title is in many ways a reflection of the style; their aim for this body of work is reflecting their identity in the present. Produced by the band in collaboration with Alex ÔÇÿLexxxÔÇÖ Dromgoole and Brian Eno collaborator Leo Abrahams, the band take further steps than before into electronic and synthesised territory hinted at on ÔÇÿSmotherÔÇÖ in 2011.
This album is a much less single-friendly affair than previous releases, nothing being in the same upbeat vain as ÔÇÿLimbo, PantoÔÇÖ-era singles ÔÇÿThe DevilÔÇÖs CrayonÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿBrave Bulging Buoyant ClairvoyantÔÇÖ, but Wild Beasts could have done much worse for a first single to grab listenersÔÇÖ attention to the album than the 6/4 drum loop of opening track ÔÇÿWanderlustÔÇÖ. The vocal synths featured on the track manage to sound full yet simplistic, giving greater emphasis to Hayden ThorpeÔÇÖs lyrics such as ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt confuse me with someone who gives a fuckÔÇØ.
ÔÇÿNature BoyÔÇÖs lower vocal range, vocal harmonies and African-sounding drum beats continue the album into ÔÇÿMeccaÔÇÖs entirely synthesised introduction. ÔÇÿSweet SpotÔÇÖ is one of the more guitar-based offerings, before ÔÇÿDaughtersÔÇÖ shows drummer Chris TalbotÔÇÖs less conventional patterns over some heavily delayed synthesisers. ÔÇÿA Simple Beautiful TruthÔÇÖ is perhaps the closest Wild Beasts get to a return to more upbeat guitar-based music, but this is followed by one of the most forward-looking tracks, ÔÇÿA DogÔÇÖs LifeÔÇÖ, with its use of rippling snare drum effects, TalbotÔÇÖs drumming showing to be one of the most interesting parts of the album. The lyrics ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs tense for meÔÇØ reference the album name on ÔÇÿPast PerfectÔÇÖ, the minimalist nature of the album takes full effect on album highlight ÔÇÿNew LifeÔÇÖ and the headphone-suitable ÔÇÿPalaceÔÇÖ closes the album.
The effect of the synthesisers throughout the album show how far Wild Beasts have come on in the last six years, ÔÇÿPresent TenseÔÇÖ being a dynamic and atmospheric album that should take multiple listens to fully appreciate.