Just another stop on their way to big things, Go Wolf have dropped their ‘Running’ EP.
If there’s one thing I love most about sitting down to a new piece of music, it’s hearing that the artist has made the tracks with a real personal purpose. They have something to say, maybe something to get it out. They are using their music as a route to an explanation, maybe when all else has failed. And we are invited to listen. The beauty of it.
At first listen Go Wolf may hit you as upbeat, no stress electro-pop. And yes, that’s pretty much spot on, except after this EP you can also add in some satisfying 80’s aspects that are subtle but believe me when I say, satisfying. Pop, yes, but listen to the EP’s chest and past the beats and you’ll hear that Scott Jameson has penned four legitimate tracks exploring how young lovers lose their love inside their own heads. It’s all in there; the jealous tones, the desperation and pleading, the sinking feeling of having all eyes on you for all the wrong reasons.
Confidence exudes from the Running EP with each track striding after the last. It’s a confidence that can’t be accused of being misplaced given the progress Go Wolf have made since their conception. Barely a toddler, they have already supported; The Killers, The 1975 and Bastille. Add to this slots at SXSW and gigs in New York City, the home of their new label Ooh La La Records and Go Wolf are no longer ‘playing band’. Expectations are clinging to them, but their shameless electro-pop is slapping increasing numbers in their direction.
‘Running’ is perhaps the most addictive of the four tracks. The narrator addresses the runner of the relationship with hopes of pulling back the coat tails before finally giving up and accepting that he will ‘be alright in the dark, on my own’.
Next up is the aptly named ‘Slow Burn’. Definitely a ‘grower’ track of the EP, it’s based around the regret felt at letting the one you didn’t see slip away – an inevitable feeling for most at some point. Subtle female vocals add to the track but it is in danger of fading out before being rescued by Tom Tabori’s saxophone solo. A ballsy mix of synth and sax. Probably the most mature of the new songs is ‘Friction’. The track never gets away from them and there is a sense of control from start to finish.
‘Even God’ wears my favourite track crown however. An older track to anyone with access to youtube or that has seen the band live. The pleading of “Darling don’t leave me, i’m sick of the idea of leaving”, rounds the EP off impressively- not to mention it being incredibly smooth, yet catchy.
Running is an EP that marks progress and shows us that as a band, GO Wolf are capable of more than a few decent tracks and are beginning to build a solid set-list that will be their foundation. In the Running EP Jameson sings of how we, as youth, have effectively no control over our relationships, yet the band provides tracks that make us care just that little bit less.
