You could argue a mundane and traditional album review is the least fitting platform to assess Walt Disco and their second album, The Warping. This is a collection that is theatrical from the start, building to a deafening and dazzling crescendo, at various points. Let’s be honest, it’s not for everyone, and that is no criticism.
The Warping isn’t a cohesive collection, it runs more like a soundtrack to a film or play never seen. It doesn’t jar, but for casual listeners it may knock you out of the flow and momentum that it undoubtedly does pick up at times.
In a streaming world, that’s not as critical as it would have been in the past, but it’s clear that, if cohesion had been prioritised, the collection could have been more captivating.
However, the moments that do grab you, they throttle you. ’The Captain’ is epic, brimming with optimism and the sort of world-building Dexys Midnight Runners’ Kevin Rowland wraps around you. Perhaps, due to overblown parts elsewhere, the muted sections on ‘You Make Me Feel Dumb’ are where it’s at its most marvellous, while ‘Black Chocolate’ revels in its own opulence. Album closer ‘Before The Walls’ lurches and swoops you to the finish line, and you’re practically forced to listen again to make sure it happened in the first place!
Bowie is an influence, but isn’t he always? There’ll be many more flourishes and breaks that derive from places enchanted, but equally, it’s all Walt Disco. If your life is lacking in adventure and spirit, The Warping opens a door to another world – you should at least visit.
The Warping is out now on Lucky Number. Available here
