There aren’t many fields that cater to the complete abandonment of ambition. There’s a vocal corner of the punk world, though, that would like bands to play along with the idea. To change or evolve, particularly if that involves a greater level of technical proficiency, is to be declared dead to them. Well, if that’s your deal, take White Lung straight to the morgue and shut the drawer.
‘Paradise’ is different to what we’ve heard from the band in the past and not shy about showing that off. It has greater melodic focus, less reliance on flat out speed and takes as many cues from post-punk as it does the ragged hardcore that inspired the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ‘Sorry’, but to describe it as anything other than an extension of the band’s powers would be to miss the point.
When stood next to ‘Deep Fantasy’, the band’s punishing 2014 album, ‘Paradise’ stacks up very well. Mish Barber-Way has never sounded better and, by isolating herself from guitarist Kenneth William during the writing process, has written the most strident, intoxicating hooks of her career. William and drummer Anne-Marie Vassiliou, meanwhile, make a mockery of the idea that White Lung have lost their edge.
There are moments here that would not only work well on ‘Deep Fantasy’, but also added bite thanks to the meticulous, icy production of Lars Stalfors. Each element of Vassiliou’s kit has its own space to do some damage, while when the two lock in, as on the opening moments of Dead Weight and Demented, the result is ferocious. William’s playing has rarely been more adventurous, with cascading notes massing beneath Barber-Way’s powerful melodies.
Lyrically, Barber-Way also moves into fresh territory. This is an album largely about love and the celebration of it, but also one that embraces narrative writing to powerful effect. She throws together high society and trailer parks on Kiss Me When I Bleed, checks in with a beauty queen further along the line on Below and on a couple of occasions reports back fictional conversations from serial killers. Her own personal situation - happily married, settled and enjoying her career - has resulted not only in her autobiographical words carrying new, passionate weight but also in a fresh avenue of exploration emerging from her work as a journalist.
In tandem they give ‘Paradise’ the ability to reinvent itself from moment to moment, with that advantage driven home by the high-wire instrumentation. White Lung are more than happy to leave you in their dust. They don’t seem to care that they “used to be punk, man”.
White Lung Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue May 24 2016 - BRIGHTON Green Door Store
Wed May 25 2016 - BRISTOL Start The Bus
Thu May 26 2016 - LONDON Dalston Victoria
Fri May 27 2016 - BIRMINGHAM Flapper
Sat May 28 2016 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club Games Room
Sun May 29 2016 - MANCHESTER Star And Garter
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