Wild Beasts – Boy King – Album Review | The Ark of Music – The best music in the world…you never knew existed.

Having released five previous albums and a slew of singles, the UK-based pop quartet known as Wild Beasts have been doin’ it for a while…since 2002, in fact. Originally a duo called Fauve, consisting of founding members Hayden Thorpe (guitar, vocals) and Ben Little (guitar), their musical journey has been, exploratory, experimentative, and intriguing to say the least.

While their previous material has comparatively been called “reflective” by some, don’t let their new album, Boy King fool you with it’s overall raw sound and subject matter. For, this album is no less thoughtful, no less intentional, and no less adventurous than anything the beasts have ever created.

Here’s what we really dig about Boy King…

Opening with Big Cat—a synth-laden, funked-up, hip-hop-infused commentary on power, elitism and celebrity—the boys are trying to say something. Don’t get me wrong, this is not some annoying, nagging, falsely-motivated attempt to connect with their minions (i.e., you and I). They’ve got their eye on the nonsense and they’er talkin’ about it…with riffing style.

The first time I listened to Celestial Creatures I found myself relieved. Let me explain: This happens to me every time I run across a killer piece of music. I find myself relieved that there is still great music being made—out there somewhere—by unique, intelligent, creative, independent-minded souls. There is still music being made by the talented musicians that wrote it. There is still music being made that wasn’t necessarily made to please a label, a sponsor, or some pop-song blueprint. I find myself relieved, almost as if there is some part of me, some fearful recess in the basement my mind, that actually believes real music could one day die and disappear forever. Yet, inevitably, time after time, I continue to fall face-first into tracks like this. And, when I do, all is suddenly right, again…

“Every fiber remains so alive
Oh these are blessed times
We are celestial creatures

These are blessed times that we’re living in
Down here on earth all is forgiven”

In Duran-Duran-esque fashion, Ponytail stimulates mind and feet. A tale of forbidden love bottled-up in one—phat—beat. Unfortunately, we are unable to embed this track for your listening pleasure. However, for what we are guessing is a limited time, you can preview it on the band’s homepage, HERE. The bass-line alone is worth the effort.

You see, it’s simple. It is music like this that gives me hope. And, when I say that, I don’t necessarily mean that the songs contain subject matter which specifically makes me hopeful (though that may be true as well). What I mean is this: The mere fact that music like this exists—in the first place—is what gives me hope. Hope that creativity has not yet been driven from us fully. Hope that we are all still capable of thinking for ourselves. Hope that we—all of us with our differing views about the world we live in—can come to music like this, can gather around it, and agree, and enjoy, and shut up…and listen.

Whose lovechild…?
Imagine if Jamiroquai hooked-up with Muse and brought along Run-D.M.C.’s production crew. Boom: Wild Beasts.

Below, you can listen to a few songs from Wild Beasts’ album, Boy King (as well as some of their earlier work), connect with their website and social media platforms, watch their latest music videos, check out their live show/tour schedule, and find their booking & contact information. Please support Wild Beasts by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!