> Album Review: Wojtek the Bear – Heaven by the Back Door - SNACK: Music, film, arts and culture magazine for Scotland

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Album Review: Wojtek the Bear – Heaven by the Back Door


If you love references to ships and boats, you’re in luck. Perhaps a nod to Glasgow’s shipbuilding past, or the memories of the Boaty Weekender lingering on; whatever, it fits. It’s a jaunty record, sometimes touching on the fall-back T-word for Glasgow indie pop (twee, not Tennents), but more importantly, it’s a joyous record.

‘The Tide That Won’t Come Back’ is delightful, and if you can’t nod or hum along, you don’t deserve ears. Opener ‘Ferme La Bouche’ shimmers with the excitement of the summer we wish to see and adds a playful mix to a Mike Tyson quote. Yes, this is an eclectic record.

The open and confessional tone of the lyrics makes it feel more like a close friend sharing a few secrets. Well, apart from the horns, melodies and swooping guitars. If you’ve got friends like that, hold them close. If not, check out Wojtek the Bear instead.

Heaven by the Back Door was released 16th July on Last Night From Glasgow

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