Glitterbug [LP]

by The Wombats

Overview

Following up the group's literate, giddy 2011 effort, This Modern Glitch, Britain's Wombats return with their equally euphoric and lyrically pointed third full-length album, 2015's Glitterbug. Still centered on lead singer/songwriter/keyboardist/guitarist Matthew Murphy along with bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Tord Overland-Knudsen and drummer/vocalist Daniel Haggis, the Wombats make an immediately infectious, skillfully polished brand of '80s-influenced synth pop that also manages to weave in the energy of '90s cool Britannia as well as the wry, often humorous social commentary of bands like the Kinks. Working with producer Mark Crew, who previously helmed Bastille's Bad Blood, the Wombats build upon the buoyant, dance-oriented vibe of This Modern Glitch, honing their sound into a tight, glossy sheen that hints at the bombastic new wave productions of '80s bands like Tears for Fears, while also fitting nicely alongside more contemporary releases by acts like the Killers and the 1975. Musically, the songs on Glitterbug are as catchy as anything they've done previously, and the group's layered, kinetic productions perfectly showcase Murphy's resonant, insistent croon. However, what sets the Wombats apart from their danceclub-minded brethren are Murphy's distinctive lyrics. Much like the Kinks' Ray Davies in the '60s or Pulp's Jarvis Cocker in the '90s, Murphy brings a sharp-witted party monster's eye for spilling the details of crazy relationships and the full-tilt boozy adventures of urban twentysomethings. In "Greek Tragedy," he sings "We're smashing mics in karaoke bars/You're running late with half your makeup on." Similarly, in "Give Me a Try," he admits "I know that I like to let excess exceed/But I just need you in that fur coat/With only my necklace on underneath," ending with the ominously cheeky "Everything I need/Vicodin on Sunday nights/This could be worth the risk." However, Murphy's knack for poignantly juxtaposing the drive for fun with the search for meaning is perhaps best expressed on the anthemic "This Is Not a Party," in which he lists off what's going on with various single-named people at an unhinged, debauched soiree. He sings "Roxy's made the call, although her boyfriend wants to go/Jane's sprawled on the floor and I have lost all self-control." Ultimately, it's this kind of life-is-short pop energy, imbued with Murphy's well-curated sense of time and place, that helps elevate the Wombats' Glitterbug from just a one-crazy-night soundtrack to an album that might stick with you for years to come. As Murphy shouts over his laser-toned keyboard, "This is not a party, it's a hurricane." ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2015
Label:	Warner Bros.
UPC:	0825646157488

Tracks

1. Emoticons
2. Give Me a Try
3. Greek Tragedy
4. Be Your Shadow
5. Headspace
6. This Is Not a Party
7. Isabel
8. Your Body Is a Weapon
9. The English Summer
10. Pink Lemonade
11. Curveballs

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Wombats   Primary Artist
Matthew "Murph" Murphy   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Tord Overland-Knudsen   Bass,Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Dan Haggis   Drums,Organ,Piano,Guitar,Mandolin,Keyboards,Wurlitzer,Harpsichord,Vocals (Background)
Matthew Murphy   Piano,Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Jonathan Sagis   Engineer
Samuel Burgess-Johnson   Artwork
Ike Schultz   Mixing,Mixing Assistant
Jeff Jackson   Mixing Assistant
Darren Oorloff   Artwork
Chris Galland   Mixing Assistant,Mixing
Matthew "Murph" Murphy   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Tord Overland-Knudsen   Group Member,Drum Programming
Dan Haggis   Group Member,Drum Programming
Jeffrey P. Chang   A&R Assistance
Mr. Gilbert   A&R
Zorg Albini   Engineer
Willy   Engineer
Willy Scooby   Engineer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Eric Valentine   Producer,Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Oliver Nelson   Producer,Additional Production
The Wombats   Composer,Musician,Producer
Manny Marroquin   Mixing
Scooby   Engineer
Justin Long   Engineer
Conor O'Mahony   Coordination
Darren Jones   Assistant Engineer
Jess Jackson   Mixing
Cian Riordan   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mark Crew   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording
Robert Whitely   Engineer
Dan Priddy   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Storm YeeChong   Coordination