DeWolff - Muscle Shoals

“Muscle Shoals” is an album that feels pleasingly laid back, as if making music this good is somehow effortless. Eschewing the crushing riffs and heavy bluster of modern rock, DeWolff favour a relaxed pace, and an elegant sound that is often absorbing in its restraint. Opener “In Love” is woozy and dreamlike, capturing the euphoria of new romance whilst throwing the listener off guard with lyrics about infidelity. Recently released as a single, “Natural Woman” really grooves, the sound of clicked fingers preceding a chorus that finds a hook in its fuzzed up riff. It’s snappy, concise and begs you to listen again. 

“Out on the Town” emerges gently, and progresses with a rumbling tension that you might feel in a bar like the one described by the track. There’s a lovely doubling of the guitar and Hammond organ that feels both sophisticated and retro, familiar to fans of Deep Purple or Uriah Heep, but seriously under utilised in these modern times. “Let’s Stay Together” is an emotional ballad, delivered by Pablo van de Poel with a real sense of yearning. It’s a track that aches with sadness, a lament to a relationship that has hit difficult times, Pablo’s guitar seemingly weeping in sympathy.

DeWolff arguably hit a real hot streak somewhere around the album’s mid-point. “Ophelia” kicks up the energy, Piso’s Hammond in a starring role, the frantic pace a real jolt. The funky “Truce” is positively buoyant, throwing in some brass in the latter half, it’s a proper feel-good track anchored by Luka van de Poel’s solid drumming. “Hard to Make a Buck” comes in swinging and never lets up, a strangely jubilant ode to the all too familiar struggle to make ends meet. It’s probably the catchiest track here, the refrain coming back for more, giving you no time to forget. Piano is all over “Book of Life”, which is just joyful, appropriately transitioning through various moods in its six minutes and showcasing Pablo’s vocals at their most soulful.  

“Winner (When it Comes to Losing)” could perhaps best be described as slinky, marked by a sense of intrigue that seduces. And though “Only Fools and Horses” is also in no rush, it’s more bouncy, playful and encourages you to move with the lilting bass that underpins the track. “Snowbird” is epic in length and execution, veering almost into prog territory with its sprawling digressions that are consistently captivating. Changing things up again, “Ships in the Night” is initially reminiscent of the finest yacht rock, blissful harmonies convening over gentle instrumentation, singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc lending his voice to this beautiful ballad. 

Closing to the sound of cicadas, apparently an authentic sound of Alabama, there's a sense that DeWolff have captured something special here. And I don't just mean the first time that two cicada broods have emerged at the same time since 1803 (though apparently that's true!). You think they don’t make them like this any more, until DeWolff show you they still do. Get ‘Muscle Shoals’ on your Christmas list today.