Wild Nothing

Wild Nothing’s Nocturne is best described in one word—unmemorable.

It’s the epitome of background noise. The band’s overall sound is akin to a watered-down Two Door Cinema Club.
Wild Nothing’s soft vocals are, admittedly, well executed. Their musicianship is apparent, but the variation is heavily lacking. As the album runs on, the airy verses start to fade into one another, making individual tracks indistinguishable.

Never is there a shining moment in the album that stands out and really encapsulates the mood of Nocturne. The namesake track, “Nocturne,” is a letdown. Compared to the other tracks, it has no punch, no zing, and no reason to be featured.

An extreme lack of variation in the instrumentation is a concoction for a snooze fest. Rather than the melodies being soothing and relaxing, the underlying production is forgetful and plain.

Every whimsical, twangy, guitar strum is over-synthesized and comes off more like a crappy 80s boy band cover group. Halfway through the album, “Disappear Always,” ever so slightly picks up the tempo by replacing the repetitive chords with an upbeat blend of hi-hats, snare drums, and a touch of the tambourine.

Nocturne is tough to sit through for a genuinely enjoyable listening experience, unless the imagery of tall, skinny, frizzy-haired, white leotard-wearing singers is appealing.