WOMPS – Our Fertile Forever

With lean trebly riffs over whines and wails, hummable hooks, and precise rhythms, Our Fertile Forever marks the official birth of a band that’s already earned plenty of fans at home in Glasgow and abroad. WOMPS’ debut ranges widely, from thunderous tracks to tunes that tap into a sort of post-angst introspection, indicating a group averse to churning out safe singles all of one style.

Guitarist and vocalist Ewan Grant – previously established as Algernon Doll – has taken some heat for moving on, but his continued alliance with drummer Owen Wicksted is a reason to rejoice. Plasticine, the LP’s opening track, establishes this group’s melodic craftsmanship right away, and they keep delivering.

Modest about their talents – they try to write pop, but just aren’t good at it, Grant and Wicksted have both quipped – Our Fertile Forever proves they can write the kind of songs that play as well in a basement club as they do a car stereo: cranked, to battle the wind.