Against the high benchmark set with every single and EP created by Written by Wolves, they’ve made bold, new statement: We’re only just getting started. Each band member has brought their best efforts to the table, pitching in on every track. Clear additions can be heard from everyone, with all layers of sound serving a purpose in moving each song along and hammering it home.

There’s the soaring, octave-weaving lead vocals from Michael; on every tune he changes between cooing in perfect falsetto to belting out the boldest chorus refrains. As though to prove he’s more than just pop hooks, Mike adds in the sharpest screams where it hits the hardest, as heard on Let It Burn, as well as the album’s namesake track Secrets. Mike’s harsh vocals have never sounded so good.

There’s also rhythm and lead guitars which are shared between Davie and Bahador adding energy and grit, thrashing then speeding, bouncing then gliding. With the help of drummer Karl, the grooves are executed with precision and power, from the pounding beats on Something to Save, to the offbeat swing of As Long As It Takes.

Of course, the most understated aspect of the band are the keys and electronic samples largely taken care of by Oli and Davie. Every song bears sprinklings of winding synths, or booming electro drumbeats, fusing the songs together between verses, choruses, breakdowns, and back again. With the way the five-piece weaves electronic with rock so well, it's really no wonder that some have named them Aotearoa’s answer to Linkin Park.

Along with singles Secrets, Tell Me What You’re Running From? and As Long As It Takes, highlights of the album include the epic and grandiose Demons, and Better Luck Next Time, a piece that’s guaranteed to swap a crowd for a moshpit. Driven deep with the double-kick bass drums, this particular tune evokes a motorsport video game soundtrack feel: Super-charged and speedy.

Another personal favourite sits near the end of the album, the drum & bass-informed ripper The Way Out. Until now, the Wolves hadn’t relented in creating a song wholly in this style, and the fast-paced groove serves as the album’s “one more before we wrap”.

The band has always been one that’s best experienced live, and this album captures their energy well. Production is nice and dense, the layers of sound creating the atmospheric surroundings that gives Written by Wolves its signature vibe, even down to the quiet ballad in the middle of the album. Bonus points must also go to the pacing of the album, which follows a rollercoaster flight of hard-hitting then soaring, down to a calm and loving cruise, then back up to high-octane. The saccharine stylings of Lucky Stars brings to mind Shihad’s Brightest Star, offering warm respite after an aural whirlwind.

Everything people love about the band is all here: Guitar riffs, arena-sized production, fantastic vocal hooks, and dancey electronic beats. Those with electronic-rock and alternative metal inclinations will also be thoroughly impressed with this LP, and existing fans of Written by Wolves will have plenty to sink their canines into and will undoubtedly mark half a dozen new favourites to revisit.

Be sure to catch their live performances - Follow the band’s Instagram and Facebook pages to catch announcements of their upcoming tour supporting the release of Secrets!

• 1
  L.A.B.
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Dave Dobbyn
• 4
  Shihad
• 5
  Coridian
• 6
  Six60
• 7
  The Feelers
• 8
  Skinny Hobos
• 9
  Katchafire
• 10
  Sons Of Zion

• 
  The Howard Morrison Quartet Take Two @ Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton - 26/02/2021
• 
  Marlon Williams @ James Hay Theatre, Christchurch - 25/02/2021
• 
  Fruit Juice Parade @ San Fran, Wellington - 25/02/20201
• 
  Elemeno P @ San Fran, Wellington - 25/02/2021

• 1
  DRIVERS LICENSE
  Olivia Rodrigo
• 2
  WHY OH WHY
  L.A.B.
• 3
  CALLING MY PHONE
  Lil Tjay feat. 6LACK
• 4
  HEAT WAVES
  Glass Animals
• 5
  GOOD DAYS
  SZA
• 6
  NOT MY NEIGHBOUR
  Niko Walters
• 7
  CONTROLLER
  L.A.B.
• 8
  IN THE AIR
  L.A.B.
• 9
  LEVITATING
  Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby
• 10
  WITHOUT YOU
  The Kid LAROI

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