Houston Calling

Shiny, not-so-happy Wild Moccasins return with Look Together, album release at White Oak Music Hall this Saturday

July 6th, 2018 · No Comments

Image result for look together album art

Wild Moccasins
Look Together
New West Records

Album release show: White Oak Music Hall, Saturday, 7.7.18 | $10 tickets: www.pegstar.net

Relationship albums can be tricky. On the one hand, emotional pain often results in beautiful work; on the other, the ensuing drama can distract listeners from the intended experience. On Look Together (New West Records) – its first in four years and the first since the break-up of bandmates and former IRL couple Cody Swann and Zahira Gutierrez – Houston-based Wild Moccasins deftly avoids the latter pitfall with its most accomplished and accessible album to date.

Gutierrez takes center stage, and any of her past vocal weaknesses have disappeared. Throughout Look Together, she infuses elements of eighties songstresses Liz Fraser and Kate Bush with hints of Belinda Carlisle and Deborah Harry to create a seductive and inescapable aura. As on the band’s previous efforts, Swann’s contributions should not be overlooked or understated. Handling guitar and background vocals – in addition to writing lyrics or contributing to each song on the album – his riffs and solos punctuate the songs at the perfect times, and with a subtle perfection.

The band makes no secret that its new album is a document of the couple dealing with the end of their decade-long relationship, and “No Muse” is the album’s most searing take: “I’m no use to you, unless I’m undressed / I’m no muse to you / you cut me in two, unless I say yes…and you can sing about it all you want,” Gutierrez sings.

In less-skilled hands – or a younger Wild Moccasins, even – the album’s heavy emotions could easily outweigh the music. Look Together pulses with heavy doses of synth-pop, fuzzy guitars, and infectious hooks; it’s an extremely catchy album. However, the emotional current running through the album’s songs are the focus, and the maturity and strength that allowed Swann and Gutierrez to tour together for two years almost immediately after breaking up definitely shows through. Look Together is proof that their songwriting-as-therapy has served the duo well.

Wild Moccasins play downstairs at White Oak Music Hall on Saturday, 7.7.18, with Camera Cult and El Lago. Visit the release show Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/239077333335569. This is an all ages show.

Download free singles and stems via Noisetrade.

Visit Wild Moccasins online at www.wildmoccasins.net.

Here are a couple of videos from the new album, Look Together:

Tags: Cactus Music · Music · Reviews · Show listings · White Oak Music Hall

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