The latest release from London quartet WACO is five track EP ‘Deathless’, released via Venn Records.
At just under 20 minutes long, this isn’t a collection of short tracks – in fact, some of them could definitely benefit from being shorter than their presently indulgent lengths.
The first track, ‘Mother Mercy’ comes to a nice crescendo, and could have been finished anywhere around the 3:40 mark, but it carries on and on and on, almost to the point you’d think a new song had started. That said, the song is great, catchy alt songwriting; it’s pebbled with cliches, but it’s enjoyable.
Track three, ‘Coolangatta’ has some kind of incessant charm about it. It could be the trumpet, it could be the subtle outback Australiana vibe it puts off; maybe it’s just catchy, but it’s definitely the standout track of the EP. It feels a touch lost in the middle and the track listing could have done with a jiggle to give this one more of a chance to shine.
Track four brings in a slightly darker vibe, a faster bass line and a scattered vocal. Titled ‘Feed Your Head’, it kind of feels like the song your little brothers band covers at their battle of the bands. It’s got a nice repetitive structure and is easy to nod your head along to, but it isn’t going to shatter any eardrums anytime soon.
The final track, ‘Best Friend’ is nice enough, but it brings the EP down to a bit of a slow ending. It’s a sweet track, and the lyrics are simple enough that you and your drunk mate will be yelling them back to WACOÂ before you know what’s happened. Look forward to crowds of people, arms linked, shout-singing “I’m your counsellor, your social worker, your best friend” in a pub in Hackney real soon.
RHIAN WILKINSON