Girl at the Rock Shows

I finally have a night at home. I can’t promise that it will stay that way. I’m already feeling pretty antsy to get out of the house and do something, whether that be a show or just going to hang out with a friend, but, for the time being, I’m home, and I’m determined to get through some work, which includes crossing off some album reviews that have been on my list for far too long. ‘Try Again?’, the new EP from London-based Wisdom Teeth, is one of those albums, so let’s just jump right in!

As soon as “Prayers,” the opening track on this six-song EP, started, I was hit with an insane amount of energy and nostalgia all at once. I know this is going to be a bit of an obscure reference, but the instrumentation that starts this song reminded me of Karate High School. It’s heavy pop-punk but with a strong electronic influence. As the vocals came in, I was reminded of Dropping Daylight. They are very much in the alt-rock vibe, but the way they mix with the heavier, pop-punk-leaning instrumentation gives it a cool vibe. This whole song is absolutely an attention-grabber, but there’s this part towards the end when Wisdom Teeth really gets into a groove. This groove absolutely sets the stage for the rest of the album, but have no fear: there are many surprises along the way.

“Verbal Dynamite” takes a turn into something just slightly heavier and darker in all of the right ways. The tone of everything in this song just has a bit more of a sense of depth than I got in “Prayers,” which seems to show this other side of Wisdom Teeth that I instantly felt I could relate to. Not only is that subtle darkness genius, but there is also something super unique about some of the note choices. This band isn’t afraid to have clashing sounds and tones, and that comes to fruition in this song. There are certain words that hit a note that shouldn’t go with this song. The first time it happened, it caught me off guard, but as the song went on, I realized it’s such a perfect touch because it gives this song an almost angular feeling. I sound crazy, I know that, but just listen to this track, and I promise you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

This band has a very distinct sound, but within that sound are so many different tentacles that reach into different vibes and genres. Power is absolutely a signature of Wisdom Teeth, and the power that comes with “When It All Comes Down” is a driving kind of power. I mean this both literally and figuratively. Although this song is three minutes long, it feels like it’s over in the blink of an eye. The song isn’t moving at a super-rapid pace or anything like that, but there’s a driving force behind it that propels it into the sky. Figuratively, this song feels like a driving song, as in the perfect song to blast with the windows down while driving and letting the sun soak into your skin. It’s a powerful song, but then again, Wisdom Teeth is a powerful band, so this is really no surprise.

“Blind Leading the Blind” is more powerful and more of Wisdom Teeth’s signature sound, but I feel like you really get to hear the vocal talent of this band in this track. The vocals just seem to steal a bit of the spotlight from the masterful instrumentation. Don’t get me wrong, the instrumentation throughout this song is flawless, but I just really love how this song seems to be led by the emotive nature of the vocals. Dynamics and waves of emotion guide this track forward, and I love how there are moments that made me want to smile, moments that made me want to scream, some that made me feel a bit low, but just when I started to really get in my own head with the help of this song, something changes to bring me back up again.

I would absolutely consider all of these songs to be anthemic. They all have a larger-than-life kind of quality to them, but something about the fifth track, “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” just feels arena-ready. The drums have a subtle reverb that just gives this song such a huge sound. Maybe that’s been there the whole album, but I feel like this is the first song that it really caught my attention. That, mixed with the layers of vocals that add the endless depth that Wisdom Teeth does so well, just made this song feel like an arena show. I know that sounds ridiculous, especially since I’m just sitting in my house right now, not an arena, but I dare you to turn up the volume when listening to this song and try to tell me that your mind didn’t go straight to an arena of sorts.

Although I was really hoping to get a taste of the more tender side of Wisdom Teeth, I don’t think they get super sensitive and tender– the final track of this EP, “Second Hand Smoke,” may be as close as I can get. I wouldn’t call this song a ballad in any way, shape, or form, but there is just this subtle sense of tenderness that reigns supreme throughout this final track. That’s kind of the MO of this band– subtleties hidden within their signature brand of sound and power, and it’s truly perfect.

I feel like there’s so much more to say about ‘Try Again?’ I haven’t even touched on the lyrical content of this EP, but truthfully, this is one of those albums that I will have to listen to time and time again to really pick up on everything it has to offer. There are just so many hidden paths and valleys scattered throughout this album, but at the same time, it’s just impossible not to be enamored by Wisdom Teeth’s overall sound.

TL;Dr – Wisdom Teeth is a magical band with a powerful sound and a truly unique sound that will catch everyone, from my pop-punk kings and queens to my metal-loving headbangers. The power of this band is insane, and the creativity that they bring to their songs is just the cherry on top.

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