Although they haven’t released any new material since October of 2021, alternative electronic band W. H. Lung is the kind of group whose timeless sound remains fresh in any given year. Formed by primary songwriting duo Joe Evans and Tom Sharkett, vocalist and guitarist, respectively, they take their name from a Chinese supermarket in their native Manchester, where they remain based.
Since their debut album, Incidental Music, the revolving lineup has crossed paths with many musical genres, including but not limited to post-punk, kraut rock, and synth-pop. But no matter who’s in the current lineup or what new sound they may be experimenting with, their music will never fail to at least make you dance just a tiny bit.
At a staggering seven minutes and forty-one seconds, “Inspiration!” remains the band’s most popular track. Not unlike their similarly inventive predecessors LCD Soundsystem, they take their time to build up around core instruments such as synthesizers, bass, and drums. It also happens to be their first ever release, formally introducing the world to W. H. Lung’s dynamic music that’s equally technically impressive and easily danceable.
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“Showstopper” and “Somebody Like,” both of which derive from their most recent album, Vanities, focus on the band’s pop sensibilities in two very different ways. The former, featuring softlizard, must’ve been made in the wrong generation for how much it aligns with singles that groups like Dead or Alive or O.M.D. could’ve put out in the late 80s. Evans holds his own against the bouncy synths, whose boyish voice perfectly contrasts softlizard’s deadpan delivery.
On the other side of 80s synth-pop, “Somebody Like” leans into a darker ambiance reserved for early Factory Records acts. The instantly thumping bass and synths make it seem like something is encroaching on Evans; or that Evans himself is the one doing the stalking. No matter how you spin it, the ominous nature makes full usage of an instrumental that’s just a tad bit further into industrial music and distinguished enough to show their range.
Even with the absence of a new release, W. H. Lung is still performing live and proving they already have a catalog worthy of making up an entire set’s worth of songs ready to make a crowd dance. Having received some success, both critical and commercial, they remain a newer group who have more than enough time to reach new heights. But for a band who began releasing music with impeccable quality, they’re on the right path to push nostalgic sounds into new boundaries.
Words: David Sosa
Vanities by W. H. Lung is out on all streaming services. For more on new music and live shows, including a show at The Echo on October 11, follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.
