Kendal-based indie rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Wild Beasts’ fourth album ÔÇÿPresent Tense’ sees the light of day following a full year of studio work, after experiences of ÔÇÿburn out’ from the two year touring cycle for previous album ÔÇÿSmother’. 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 ÔÇÿLexxx’ Dromgoole and Brian Eno collaborator Leo Abrahams, the band take further steps than before into electronic and synthesised territory hinted at on ÔÇÿSmother’ in 2011.
This album is a much less single-friendly affair than previous releases, nothing being in the same upbeat vain as ÔÇÿLimbo, Panto’-era singles ÔÇÿThe Devil’s Crayon’ and ÔÇÿBrave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyant’, but Wild Beasts could have done much worse for a first single to grab listeners’ attention to the album than the 6/4 drum loop of opening track ÔÇÿWanderlust’. The vocal synths featured on the track manage to sound full yet simplistic, giving greater emphasis to Hayden Thorpe’s lyrics such as “Don’t confuse me with someone who gives a fuck”.
ÔÇÿNature Boy’s lower vocal range, vocal harmonies and African-sounding drum beats continue the album into ÔÇÿMecca’s entirely synthesised introduction. ÔÇÿSweet Spot’ is one of the more guitar-based offerings, before ÔÇÿDaughters’ shows drummer Chris Talbot’s less conventional patterns over some heavily delayed synthesisers. ÔÇÿA Simple Beautiful Truth’ 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 Dog’s Life’, with its use of rippling snare drum effects, Talbot’s drumming showing to be one of the most interesting parts of the album. The lyrics “It’s tense for me” reference the album name on ÔÇÿPast Perfect’, the minimalist nature of the album takes full effect on album highlight ÔÇÿNew Life’ and the headphone-suitable ÔÇÿPalace’ 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 Tense’ being a dynamic and atmospheric album that should take multiple listens to fully appreciate.
