‘Vivre Sa Vie’ is rather hard to describe. Resembling a sonically charged stream of consciousness, the EP makes its way into our favourite records by delivering an enchanting blend of mysterious and evocative new-wave, post-punk and avant-garde stylings, all drenched in spacious guitar riffs, minimal drum grooves and ethereal, reverbed vocals. Penned by British duo West Wickhams, ‘Vivre Sa Vie’ contains seven tracks that constantly disorient the listeners, although they do so with elegance – offering an experience that’s new and inspiring.
‘I am Sparkling Cyanide’ introduces the EP with shoegaze flavourings, incorporating a sharp electronic texture that’s intriguing and innovative. ‘The Maddening Crowd’ bathes in post-punk references, upping the tempo and the occasional dissonances. Further along, episodes such as ‘I’m Spinning I’m Spinning’ draw close comparisons to psychedelic material.
‘Damned Defiant!’ closes the record with perhaps the most unique sonic formula of the EP. But we’ll leave it to you to discover – enough spoilers! Overall, we love the retro and slightly lo-fi quality mirrored in ‘Vivre Sa Vie’. West Wickhams are a precious gem, a group that we hope will soon be welcomed by a wider audience.
Recommended! Discover ‘Vivre Sa Vie’ on Spotify:
