Hello everybody! So, if you’ve been around for a while, you may know that one of my favourite bands is Oh Wonder, a London-based indie pop duo. Last year they released their 3rd album shortly before lockdown began and I’ve been meaning to review it pretty much ever since, and since it officially turned a year old two weeks ago, I thought I’d better get to it now. Onto the post!
Dust– this is where the album title derives from, as “no one else can wear your Crown, it’s yours, just yours” is one of the first lines in this song. It’s a great way to start the album, and I really enjoy it lyrically, although there are parts of the music and melody I’m not so keen on (I just CANNOT take to the chorus, somehow).
Happy– this is such a good song! It’s about being happy to see your ex happy with someone else, and how surprising that feeling is but also nice. It’s a pretty unique and interesting concept for a song, and I love that Oh Wonder write about things that I don’t see other artists covering very often. I also love how upbeat it is sonically, and the vocals are so great. And there’s an Anthony solo!! They don’t happen often, but I’m obsessed with them when we do get them.
Better Now- after the lovely chirpiness of Happy, this gets you RIGHT in the feels. It’s about having a loved one in hospital and how worrying that is, and although the lyrics are simple, I think they convey that feeling so perfectly, and the repetition within the verses is so clever because life in hospital is so repetitive and mundane, a lot of the time (at least in my experience with my surgeries/times when I’ve had family members who’ve been in his for some reason)
Hallelujah– this was the lead single from this album, and I have to admit I really wasn’t too keen on it when it first came out, but it’s really grown on me in the year and a half since it did. It’s very uplifting and fun, exactly the sort of thing that deserves to be played often on the radio because it just makes you smile and gives you a boost for your day (and I love the little shoutout to radio in it, it’s so clever and fun in the context of the song!)
In and Out of Love– this is such a hauntingly beautiful song, with a little bit of a complicated meaning, but it pretty much boils down to the feeling of finding your soulmate and knowing that if you hadn’t, you could never have found anyone else like them that you could love forever. Every single lyric is just stunning and poignant and meaningful, and I think it makes it even more special knowing that Anthony and Josie are singing about each other. This is one of my favourite love songs I’ve ever heard.
How it Goes– this is one of those songs that’s so relatable sometimes it’s actually painful. It’s about life feeling kind of pointless sometimes, or at least that’s my interpretation, and Josie’s voice sounds so beautiful and delicate in it, and it just breaks my heart to be honest.
Drunk on You– I love this song so much. It’s about meeting someone, and still being a little bit giddy the morning after because you know you’ve stumbled upon something special. It’s one of the most upbeat, lovely songs on this album, and I think it’s great fun. The melody is so pretty and Josie’s voice combined with it in the bridge is a real highlight of the album.
Nothing But You– I have to admit this isn’t a fave for me because the verses are a bit bland and forgettable, even though they’re pleasant enough to listen. But I’m pretty obsessed with the bridge because I love Josie’s voice in it so, so much, and the lyrics in the refrain are so pretty.
I Wish I Never Met You– this is hands down my favourite on this album, mostly because I think it’s very reminiscent of the sound of their debut album, whilst still being totally sonically cohesive with this one. It’s insanely catchy, and is pretty positive given that it’s about having never been lucky in love and wishing you’d never met all these people who’ve broken your heart, but also rising above it. I think it can also apply to other situations and people you wish you’d never come across too, though, and it’s a really empowering song. The bridge/middle eight in particular is a masterpiece.
Nebraska– this is kind of similar to In and Out of Love in meaning, but the analogy it uses for finding your soulmate is that they’ve travelled the world and never found anything else that feels like home, other than this person. The vocals are stunning, and I think it’s the perfect ending to an album, that is at its core, about love in many different forms, whether that’s for yourself, or a past or present or future romantic partner, or a family member.
Are you an Oh Wonder fan? If not, are you planning to listen to this album? I’d love to hear in the comments!
Amy x
Golden Books Girl 