In need of some unhinged rock to up your mood? Mikki Wood has exactly that with High On The Moon, their new record. Review.
HIGH ON THE MOON – MIKKI WOOD
Who said that garage rock needed to be filthy to be efficient? So, sure, Mikki Wood doesn’t come in with spotless melodies on High On The Moon. Let’s not take the piss here. The trio holds on to their punk spirits. What’s clean here, though, is the balance the band finds in its saturated effects and vocals. Everything is made to serve the energy and passion they’re putting into each track. It’s immensely catchy, fresh, and clearly an unmissable album for anyone who loves powerful guitars and easy-to-get lyrics. Pass to Paradise is a perfect intro here, with a vibrating bass, a guitar clear yet sharp, and panting drums.
Mikki Wood has no time to lose. A couple of references to some classics are tucked in the riffs of Send In The Clowns and the beat of Milk & Honey, and it makes me love them even more. Blending these inspirations together, added to their personalities, results in something pretty new overall. Melodies are varied and the vocals’ textures stay pretty unique, recognizable from a mile away. The intro and chorus of Tell U Something are two pretty good examples here. Beaux Yeux goes quieter, also followed by the softer Yours Truly. There, the trio shows off they can do more than heavy garage. Even in tracks like the ultra-catchy The Fly On The Highway there’s a dash of softness that colours their riffs.
But rest assured that mosh-pits are not that far. Ever. Two Times In A Moment is a banger, that I had included in a playlist of the week for its infectious energy. Babylon View is in the same memorable vibe but pales in comparison to Yaya Mind which closes the album with a certain panache. It’s the first track I’ve ever heard from the band. This one and the rest of High On The Moon confirm what I already know: Mikki Wood is a garage band with a bright future. Just enough chaos, hugely passionate and intricate too, you must keep an eye on them. Fantastic.
