ALBUM: Ladyhawke 'Wild Things'

Rating:

Wild Things is the third studio album from New Zealand songwriter Ladyhawke; and her new record is full of playful, energetic, irresistible synth sounds. Her previous releases – her 2008 self-titled debut, and 2012 album, Anxiety – acquainted listeners with her smooth, cool vocals; and on Wild Things she delivers more of her trademark style, though at times it feels a little repetitive.

Opener ‘Love Song’ is an electronic trip through “blurred” romantic tales, which smoothly transitions in to second track ‘The River’; with its constant, rhythmic percussion and ’80s inspired synths (which are prevalent on the record). Eponymous track ‘Wild Things’ could’ve comfortably rolled over the end credits of the film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s illustrated book, Where The Wild Things Are, whilst ‘Let It Roll’ plays out like its namesake; with gliding guitars and lyrics which “roll, like a new born soul…”

‘Chills’ is the type of song you’d skip home to after a super successful first date, chanting “This is love, this is love, this is everything” to everyone who crosses your path, whilst ‘Sweet Fascination’ is easily Wild Things standout track. The bouncing synths and sugary vocals make it easy to forget any troubles for a brief, bountiful four minutes.

On ‘Golden Girl’, Ladyhawke sings like “the daughter of love running wild”; care-free and optimistic. This lyric feels like the focus of her latest endeavour; fearlessly and blissfully indulging in positive sound. On ‘Hillside Avenue’, the songwriter laments that “morning comes too easily”, but the party is soon started again with ‘Money To Burn’, which calculates the cost of wasted love; “you sold your heart to me, but you’re just a fool, a fool with money to burn.”

On delightfully named penultimate track ‘Wonderland’, she’s caught up in the security of sound – “holed up in this Wonderland, like that heart-shaped feeling from your favourite band” – safe in the knowledge that music is escapism, and never fails to deliver a dose of electronic-inspired-tonic when someone’s left you “broken in half”.

Final track ‘Dangerous’ hosts some brilliantly jagged, pulsing synths, which are left “running blind” for three disco-inspired minutes, allowing listeners to “shake off the feeling you most want to hide behind”. It’s a solid closer for a record full of catchy, ’80s infused, elated synth sounds. Ladyhawke’s new record belongs on the shelves of those who love escapism via electronica, and any excuse to dance like the Wild Things she sings about.

Wild Things is out now via Mid Century Records.