We have known WOOF for a while, and we can safely say that the quality of their music has been growing exponentially. We last wrote about them just over a year ago, featuring ‘Bedtime Story’ in all its nocturne charisma. Since then, the Chicago-based outfit has been hard at work, penning an EP that’s the culmination of two years of artistic commitment. Meet ‘Distempered’.
As we jump into the haunting, dark-leaning listening experience that is ‘Distempered’, we also get a masterclass in post-punk phenomenology, with lo-fi drum machines layered over sharp guitars and groovy basslines. There’s a strong feeling of alternative allure in it, as if WOOF were to be operating in the shadows, raising their head up from time to time to gift us with a stunning record. All of the five tracks in the EP are short bites, hitting the listeners thick and fast with their hypnotic mood.
Hiding behind its gloomy and crepuscular aural character, ‘Distempered’ includes an extensive lyrical ethos, with WOOF drawing inspiration from fleeting emotional states to then craft cathartic, meaningful pieces steeped in relatable imagery. As we are told, the EP is “built around desire, nostalgia, obsession, and the things we chase even when we know better.” We appreciate how cryptic the record is overall… wrapped in an alternative, fashionable smoke, both from a lyrical and sonic perspective.
Recommended! Discover ‘Distempered’ now: