‘Indigo’ is the fourth album from L.A.-based dream pop troubadour Jack Tatum as Wild Nothing and it comprises 11 skilfully written tracks that directly ape ‘70s and ‘80s British art rock - in particular Roxy Music.
While there is a lot to like about it, the LP also falls into a bit of a trap. Tatum clearly adores the artists he is paying homage to, but by mimicking their compositional choices so keenly he reveals both their unique charisma and also the lack of originality in his own creative persona. Indeed, if the songs on ‘Indigo’ were weaker then such an approach might evoke contempt.
But the songs are strong. Partners in Motion, for example, retains immense songcraft despite riotously derivative production that would kill lesser work.
Its use of cruise ship congas and spilling phaser guitars is hugely engaging while a pentatonic, portamento synth riff arrives to give it rich colour.
Elsewhere, both Letting Go and Oscillation reveal meticulous attention to detail. The latter is a superb twister of a song that builds to a powerful, swaggering dirge around busy Johnny Marr-style strumming. This is where the album’s conception starts to justify itself by acting as a bit of a curated tour of British sophisti-pop.
There is no problem with setting out to write songs inspired by a particular time, place and genre. The problem here is a little more circumstantial: this is Wild Nothing’s fourth album and by now the band needs a sound that is less ersatz. An ensemble who have excelled in this area is Haim, due to the distinctive line-up of the group and bonafide AAA songwriting. Nonetheless, ‘Indigo’ is a good album with some soaring moments.
Wild Nothing Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue October 16 2018 - CARRBORO North Carolina - Cat's Cradle (USA)
Wed October 17 2018 - ATLANTA Georgia - Terminal West At King Plow Arts Center (USA)
Thu October 18 2018 - BIRMINGHAM AL Alabama - Saturn - Birmingham (USA)
Fri October 19 2018 - NEW ORLEANS Louisiana - Gasa Gasa (USA)
Sat October 20 2018 - HOUSTON Texas - White Oak Music Hall (USA)
Sun October 21 2018 - AUSTIN Texas - Mohawk - Austin (USA)
Tue October 23 2018 - SANTA FE New Mexico - Meow Wolf (USA)
Wed October 24 2018 - PHOENIX Arizona - Crescent Ballroom Outdoors - Phoenix (USA)
Thu October 25 2018 - SANTA ANA California - Observatory Santa Ana (USA)
Fri October 26 2018 - LOS ANGELES California - Regent Theatre - CA (USA)
Sat October 27 2018 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Independent (USA)
Tue October 30 2018 - PORTLAND Oregon - Revolution Hall - Portland (USA)
Wed October 31 2018 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Imperial (Canada)
Thu November 01 2018 - SEATTLE Washington - Neumos (USA)
Fri November 02 2018 - BOISE Idaho - Neurolux Lounge (USA)
Sat November 03 2018 - SALT LAKE CITY Utah - Urban Lounge (USA)
Sun November 04 2018 - DENVER Colorado - Bluebird Theater (USA)
Tue November 06 2018 - OMAHA Nebraska - Slowdown (USA)
Wed November 07 2018 - MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota - Cedar Cultural Center (USA)
Thu November 08 2018 - MADISON Wisconsin - Majestic Theatre Madison (USA)
Fri November 09 2018 - CHICAGO Illinois - Thalia Hall (USA)
Sat November 10 2018 - DETROIT Michigan - El Club (USA)
Mon November 12 2018 - TORONTO Ontario - Opera House Toronto (Canada)
Tue November 13 2018 - MONTREAL Quebec - Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre (Canada)
Wed November 14 2018 - BOSTON Massachusetts - Royale Boston (USA)
Fri November 16 2018 - BROOKLYN New York - Brooklyn Steel (USA)
Sat November 17 2018 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Underground Arts (USA)
Sun November 18 2018 - WASHINGTON District Of Columbia - 9:30 Club (USA)
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