The Vivre Sa Vie EP is a showcase in nocturnal atmospheric rock mystique from West Wickhams, a project from Surrey, UK that caught our ears last year with their Magenta EP. The project of Jon Othello and Elle Flores infuse delectably dark inspirations, like the works of Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe, into soundscapes with cavernous post-punk mystique and nostalgia.
“The Maddening Crowd” is among the many highlights, succeeding in the more bustling spectrum; grimy guitar lines invigorate alongside hazily psychedelic strums for hypnotic impact. Twinkling keys are sprinkled throughout, set against a debonair vocal directness for a thoroughly inviting ’80s post-punk nostalgia. “I’m Spinning, I’m Spinning” presents a moodier alt-rock and post-punk spell, inducing visions of Wire’s “French Film Blurred” with its overall mystique.
“Damned Defiant!” is a particularly stylish standout, strutting a wintry enthrallment with whirring keys and suave guitar trickles. Submerged vocals close it out beautifully alongside jangly guitars and twinkling keys, ending this fantastic EP on an aptly hypnotic note.
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“The Maddening Crowd” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
