- Album: Love. Champion. Mountain. King.
- Artist: Wildlife Control
- Release Date: September 20, 2024
- Genre: Indie Pop / Shimmer Rock / Electronic Fusion
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Label: Lexsme Recording Co / AWAL
- Producer: Neil Love
- Engineer: Wildlife Control, Joe LaPorta (Mastering)
Review:
Blending Heart and Circuitry
With Love. Champion. Mountain. King., Wildlife Control crafts an album that captures the tension between technology and human emotion. At the crossroads of digital advancement and timeless reflection, this LP is a sonic exploration of identity, connection, and self-discovery. Opening with “Your Name Is Love,” the listener is thrust into the perspective of an AI—a metaphor for the modern human experience. Wildlife Control narrates a journey from birth to awakening, fusing futuristic themes with a raw, human touch.
The musical palette is eclectic, drawing on decades of influence. The shimmering guitars, ambient synths, and intricate drum programming evoke the best of indie pop, while the lyrical depth recalls songwriters like Sufjan Stevens and Andrew Bird. Tracks like “Dream Dream Dream My Friend” and “Your Blood on My Lips” stand out with lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics, tugging at the complexity of modern relationships.
Production and Musicality
Neil Love’s decision to perform and record all the instruments infuses the album with a personal and intimate feel. The production is a delicate balance of organic and synthetic, seamlessly blending analog warmth with digital precision. The subtle brass arrangements and atmospheric synths carry the listener through a spectrum of emotions, shifting from youthful exuberance to reflective melancholy. Joe LaPorta’s mastering polish brings cohesion, making each track feel like part of a greater, unified whole.
Lyrical Growth
From the energetic simplicity of the album’s early tracks, the lyrics mature as the narrative unfolds. Wildlife Control navigates themes of identity, heartbreak, and resilience, culminating in the final track, “Mountain King,” where the album’s central message resonates: embracing difference and finding strength in the fluidity of identity.
Final Thoughts
Love. Champion. Mountain. King. is a genre-defying record that feels deeply rooted in both the past and future. Wildlife Control’s ability to weave personal storytelling with larger societal themes makes this album a triumph in modern indie music.
Similar Albums:
- Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz
A similar exploration of technology and human emotion wrapped in orchestral and electronic sounds. - Beach House – 7
Dreamy textures and existential lyrics blend perfectly in this indie dream-pop classic. - The Postal Service – Give Up
An iconic mix of electronic beats and heartfelt indie pop, reflective of Wildlife Control’s approach. - Arcade Fire – Reflektor
With its intricate arrangements and philosophical lyrics, this album mirrors Wildlife Control’s balance of deep thought and danceable rhythms. - CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
A shimmering synth-pop album with anthemic choruses and introspective lyrics.
For a more complex dive into similar themes, listen to Radiohead – Kid A. Its blend of electronic experimentation and deep introspection sets a high bar for albums that bridge the technological and human experience.
Verdict: 86/100
Wildlife Control’s Love. Champion. Mountain. King. is a triumphant return, balancing technical prowess with a heartfelt message, destined to resonate with fans of thoughtful, genre-blurring music.
–Jeremiah Jackson