With each water drop on a leaf, nature paints a unique masterpiece, crafting a symphony of colour and light.

In the delicate union of a water drop and a leaf, we witness the interconnectedness of all living things.

In the dog-eared pages of many a long out-of-print magazine, where ink bleeds history and nostalgia, the genres of old-school goth and post-punk are vividly chronicled, their tales woven through the angst-ridden anthems of the late 70s and early 80s. Echoing these archives of aural rebellion, West Wickhams etch their narrative, a duo whose music might fit well in the lineup of the legendary Futurama Festival or a hidden gem unearthed from the more romance-driven Batcave bands.

Jon Othello and Elle Flores, the architects of this anachronistic soundscape, bridge the misty moors of England with Sicily’s sun-kissed ruins. Their concoction of psychedelic post-punk is a tribute to the era’s icons, yet it dances to its own macabre melody. The duo channels the spectral elegance of Whitby Abbey and the twisted tales of Gothic literature into their sound, weaving a musical spell that could charm the most discerning ears of Leeds’ or Liverpool’s famed Erics scenes.

West Wickhams wear their eclectic influences like badges of honor, from the haunting prose of Mary Shelley to the avant-garde spectacles of Andy Warhol. Their latest offering, “Vivre Sa Vie,” is a siren call to those who find beauty in the melancholic and the macabre, inviting listeners to step into a world where past and present are entwined in a mesmerizing dance of shadows and sound. Within the music of West Wickhams, the past is not just alive—it’s electric, pulsating through the atmosphere like a ghostly echo from a time when music was a dark, beautiful rebellion.

The album begins with I Am Sparkling Cyanide, an eccentric track that melds psychedelic sensibilities with an Americana twist, setting a tone that’s both intriguing and offbeat.

Following this, The Maddening Crowd takes the stage, eschewing Thomas Hardy’s pastoral moods for a frenetic energy reminiscent of The Normal’s iconic TVOD, where the tempo of surf rock meets the shadowy contours of deathrock.

Carla Suspiria enchants with its deep, brooding bassline, creating a sense of foreboding that pulsates through the track. Layers of ghostly, otherworldly sounds build upon this foundation, crafting an atmosphere that mirrors the eerie depth of Bauhaus’s most chilling pieces, wrapping the listener in a cloak of gothic allure.

The album then transitions to I’m Spinning I’m Spinning, where the tempo slows to a heavy, swampy pace. This track immerses the listener in a haunting ambiance, as the music creates a dizzying effect, akin to being caught in a spectral whirlwind, with each turn drawing one deeper into a mysterious and spooky realm.

After the brooding intensity of the earlier tracks, At The Cinema brings a refreshing burst of energy with its vibrant, jangly guitar work and deep, echoing vocals, all driven by a minimalist motorik bass pattern that nods to Grauzone’s iconic Eisbär. The mood shifts slightly with Shock Celebration, where a more introspective tone prevails, reminiscent of the Pixies and Kim Gordon, yet distinguished by a striking guitar melody that cuts through a backdrop of simulated breaking glass.

The Conformist steers the album back into the realm of post-punk, adorned with resonant chimes that elevate its melody. Scandulous then accelerates into a surf rock tempo, albeit with a dark twist that seems to transport the listener to a moonlit beachside cemetery. The album culminates with Damned Defiant!, a track that leaves a lasting impression with its ethereal quality, drawing the journey to a close with a sense of haunting beauty and otherworldly grace.

To celebrate the release, very limited Vivre Sa Vie CDs are available exclusively on Bandcamp with random extra goodies.

Order Here

Listen on Spotify:

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The post Listen to the Old-School Goth and Post-Punk of West Wickhams’ “Vivre Sa Vie” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Enter West Wickhams, the psychedelic noir duo consisting of Jon Othello and Elle Flores. Their latest EP, “Magenta,” is a tribute to this extraordinary colour, celebrating universal harmony and emotional balance by merging the power of red with the introspection of violet.

Hailing from Tresco on the Isles of Scilly, Othello, and Flores have now taken up residence in Richmond, Surrey. Their captivatingly eclectic sound draws inspiration from a myriad of sources, including Mary Shelley, Whitby Abbey, pipe organs, dark punk, Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall, Chameleons, Pixies and Mission of Burma. Echoing vocals, ringing post-punk guitars, and a dash of bittersweet nostalgia embellish the collection of five songs.

West Wickhams has released visually stunning clips for the tracks from this EP using classic archival film footage from sci fi and horror; adding a camp charm to the eerie, haunting sound of the band.

“The Sentinels‘” rolling drums, strange synth noodlings and echoing, whispered vocals feel ghostly, ominous and sinister – so what better illustration than the 1962 macabre masterpiece, Carnival of Souls?

“This Is A Hang Up” ventures into shoegaze territory, with a poignant breakdown, emotional vox and wistful guitar work.  It’s perfectly illustrated by 1965’s Planet of the Vampires – a retrofuturistic glimpse at the atomic-era dream gone horribly awry.

“Hot Jump” uses 1944’s Curse of the Cat People to illustrate this chiming chant with psychedelic guitars and haunting synth elements.

1982 sci-fi classic Liquid Sky sets the tone for “Swear Above Suspicion”, an urgent minor-chord jangle that feels unsettling and sinister…perfectly illustrated by those coked-out aliens.

This vibrant offering of Magenta is now available in a limited edition CD, with exclusive magenta artwork on Bandcamp.

Listen to the entire Magenta EP on Spotify.

Catch West Wickhams live on their 2023 UK tour:

• March 25th – Bristol, Crofters Rights (supporting Wasted Youth)
• March 26th – Brighton, The Albert (supporting Wasted Youth)
• July 5th – Guildford, Boileroom (supporting Chameleons)
• July 6th – Northampton, Black Prince (supporting Chameleons)
• July 7th – Peak Cavern (supporting Chameleons)
• July 19th – Leeds, Goth City 7

Follow West Wickhams:

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• Spotify
• YouTube Channel

The post Listen to Psychedelic Noir Duo West Wickhams “Magenta EP” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.