SINGLE REVIEW: Redwood – Howl

‘…a gorgeously put together work of indie pop by pair of musicians that carry talent, charm, and a special spark…’

To say that what Redwood have achieved over the past two years has been impressive would be an understatement. The London alternative rock act were selected as the opener for The Dear Hunter’s most recent UK tour, and then followed the prog-rock legends back across the pond to open their US tour. The states liked the band so much that Redwood quickly found their way back over for a tour with Bear Ghost, whilst back at home they’ve found themselves opening for Michael Cera Palin, Hail The Sun, and The Dear Hunter once more. Your favourite bands have spotted something special in this outfit, and their latest single provides you the perfect opportunity to see it too.

Part of what makes Redwood’s sound so magical is their capacity to create sounds that feel deeply familiar, yet refuse to sit comfortably under a single genre label. ‘Howl’ is yet another fantastic example of this, with the track effortlessly floating between suggestions of indie rock, folk rock, shoegaze and math rock. The result is both dreamlike and groovy, with surprisingly intricate instrumentation colliding with simplistic yet effective hooks. There is a degree of musical showmanship, but not so much that the track loses any sense of emotive weight, ensuring that this will appeal to fans of both laid back indie rock and technically complex emo.

Vocalist Alex Birchall is an incredible presence throughout the track’s entirety. With an expansive range and a rich depth to his vocals, Birchall knows just how to perfectly complement the instrumental, in whatever form it takes. Feathery falsettos sit atop of skittering math rock pre-choruses, before shifting into bold yet simplistic melodies in the sparkling and catchy choruses. Furthermore, the ‘I just can’t wait to see you howl‘ hook that is sprinkled throughout the track is devilishly well conceived, ensuring that the track remains lodged in your brain from the very first listen.

There is a certain indescribably quality that some bands possess that make them instantly and undeniably compelling; Redwood is one such band. ‘Howl‘ is a gorgeously put together work of indie pop by pair of musicians that carry talent, charm, and a special spark that makes it incredibly easy to feel invested in them. It’s only a matter of time until your favourite band takes them on tour, so you better get learning the lyrics.

For Fans Of: Soot Sprite, Adjy, linoleumville, France You’re On Your Own, A Place For Owls

Featured photo credit belongs to @nicktudorpole.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify