REVIEW: Wu Lyf - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain

Wu Lyf
Go Tell Fire To The Mountain
(out of 5)

A girl recently told me that when we were growing up as teenagers, she secretly liked me because “I was mysterious”. I thought I was just being the shy kid, but it seemed to be an inadvertent plan that worked (to my surprise), and one I’ve tried to run with; (a few good wins – but also to my own detriment at times). Wu Lyf are somewhat like that kid hiding themselves in a shroud of mystery; one minute, the quiet one in the corner; nek minute, everybody’s friend (and secretly-admired by many).

It’s because we don’t really know who Wu Lyf are. As their name suggests, (i.e., World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation), are they some kind of melodic cult out to corrupt our young? (maybe) Are they the slightly more sanitised, rock and roll version of line-crossing rap crew Odd Future? (Also, a maybe). Or is this some kind of surprise attack from the mainstream music industry? (Highly unlikely). Who/whatever they are, their music is great, and their grimy origins and sparse web-content make them tantalising.

Musically, Wu Lyf represent a ‘new’ arm of indie; in all probability a backlash against the recent misappropriation of 80s-ripped electropop; a solid attempt to bring rock back into the fore (though much different to the likes of The Strokes/Killers/ect – 2003 was a while ago, seeya!). Joining the likes of other up-and-comers such as Cloud Nothings, Wavves, Smith Westerns, the band/group/cult put a bit of backbone and bite back onto the stage (the energy in Go Tell Fire To The Mountain suggests they will be better in a live setting). iTunes states they are ‘lo-fi’; the record’s production is far too polished for that. It really is a crazy, swooning fusion of surf/grunge/punk; a definite statement that the 90s is well and truly back.

Hardly satanic, chiming guitar lines, wallowing organs and a crazed drummer all tie into an ecstatic embrace; but it is the raw unbridled intensity of the vocals which set the energy and tone of the record. Gang shouts and screams tell stories of regret and love and you can’t help but get swallowed up by it. As the album’s title would suggest, Go Tell Fire To The Mountain is a grandiose testament from a band who I hope get out of their not-so-quiet corner and into as many people’s headphones as possible. Wu 4 Lyf.

Wu Lyf - Spitting Blood

By Theo Sangster.