Oh Wonder’s second studio album is a natural progression from their first.
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But it’s also an assured and entertaining progression, and one that is sure to please fans attending Splendour In The Grass this weekend and the band’s trio of sold-out sideshows next week.
Released less than two years after their highly acclaimed self-titled debut, Ultralife sees the London alt-pop duo weave together more of the instantly catchy melodies which typified their first effort, polished by the confidence that comes from selling out shows all over the world.
Right from the breezy opener Solo - the perfect soundtrack to a rainy day - it’s clear that the soothing and effortlessly complementary voices of Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West fuse together as wondrously as they did the first time round.
First single Ultralife showcases the band at its best, as does the super sassy All About You and ballad Bigger Than Love.
The record has Oh Wonder’s trademark minimalist, bouncy pop in spades, yet there’s still moments of experimentation to keep things interesting, such as the genre-mashing on Heavy, and the robo-voices of High on Humans.
Plenty here for radio - and plenty for relaxing to on your afternoon off.