ninehertz

Upper Wilds have been providing us with music that is both catchy and psychedelic, somehow raucous rock n roll with a laid-back ease, all at the same time, for several albums now. It is a pleasure to discover their return.

I have made the case for a lineage from Torche in reviews of their previous records, if not in direct musical comparison but in the sweet spot combo of happy and heavy, and that thought arises again at various points through Mercury. The opening title track is evidence, a deliciously upbeat beginning that acts as a invite to their party.

They display this smile across myriad faces across the ten tracks – a common thread of anthemic post-hardcore that even approaches Jimmy Eat World or Alkaline Trio realms, albeit in denser waters, retro-stoner rock such as on Fever, frequent garage rock drives and the odd synthesiser addition. It is a thrill at every turn, even on the closing Dying Star which is Upper Wilds at their most introspective – and heavier with it too.

Mercury is a musical tale of post-hardcore and noise-rock taking notes of freedom from the rambunctious end of heavy psych and the odd lesson in the power of tone heft from doom to create something truly happy, bouncy and joyful.