ALBUM REVIEW: David Cronenberg’s Wife – Department of Biology

Blang Records

Released: 01.05.26

Starting off with a storytelling, spoken-word, delivery, the new one from David Cronenberg’s Wife comes across like The Streets, if they were performing in front of a fairground band. Ghostly and slightly Madness-meets-The-Good-The-Bad-&-The-Queen, opener Lot’s Daughter sets an early tone for the album, filled with Thriller-style horror, campness and lo-fi B-movie-style production. Heavy dub-bass textures, supported by gangly guitars and eerie waltzer organs, maintain an album filled with strong musicianship and strong ideas contributing to ten songs joined together in a collection which produces a strong whole; arpeggiated guitars and disco-esque drums dating somewhere around London 2008 and in references like Bloc Party.

Shorter songs like Trouble in Freeport, supported by horror-sounding strings, set the tone with paranoia whilst more intricate pieces like The Novice help build a more cinematic feel to the album. Interesting, though perhaps a little unrepeatable, Department of Biology is a genuine attempt at freshness and newness, laced with clever lyrics and ideas.