ALBUM REVIEW: Wire – Nocturnal Koreans

Pinkflag

Released: 29.04.16

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Wire have long been the purveyors of fine art rock, but have done so by constant reinvention. Nocturnal Koreans sees them once again changing their sound, this time away from the thunderous volume of their previous self-titled album to one which is more melodious.

Whilst Dead Weight epitomises this change in style, there is a distinct amount of variety to this album. Wire may be traversing numerous sounds, but the lyrical content of Nocturnal Koreans remains dark throughout. It is most poignant in tracks like Pilgrim Trade, which exudes this sombre tone, however, it is left to closing track Fishes Bones to be the most raucous and exciting, with Graham Lewis poetic in his erratic delivery against a fervent backdrop.