Album title: Other Words Fail Me
Artist: Wildes
Nationality: English
Genre: SO many! According to Discogs: electronic, rock, pop, folk, world, country
Chronology: Debut album
What do I know about this artist? Nothing, other than her real name is Ella Walker
What’s my experience with this genre? Can’t answer that: too many here and I have experience with some but not with others
Review: As I say above, this is the debut album from British singer Ella Walker, who goes under the professional name of Wildes. Sultry kind of voice, bit like Chrissy Hynde mixed with Suzanne Vega, at least on the opener, “Woman in Love”, which has a stripped-down feel to it, kind of a shuffling beat. “Lightly” is more driven on piano, slow and moody but with a somewhat more engaging vocal and some heartbeat percussion. The next one is more upbeat, with a sort of new-wave style rhythm, but I must say her laconic, almost sulky way of singing is a little hard to get to grips with. “Far and Wide” is the best of the tracks so far though. Some very good guitar on this one: does she play guitar? Don’t know: details are very very sketchy on the album.
I wonder was this a single? Certainly catchy enough and with an upbeat message that should have made it a hit. And maybe did. I don’t know. She takes her foot right off the accelerator for “Flames”, which is a moody ballad with nevertheless a real sense of energy and passion. Back to the piano ballads with “Restless”, again very moody and back to the sort of laconic singing, a style I’m not fond of. Nice little song though. Nice to see the pace pick up however for “Just Like You”, which ambles along in a pleasant groove, some of the backing vocals putting me very much in mind of Judie Tzuke, as does “Real Life”, a much slower and brooding effort carried on some very expressive bass, kind of downtempo I guess you could call it.
In general, a few tracks aside - and conspicuously so - this is an album of pretty low-key, introspective songs, which probably works best if you’re feeling a little down and don’t particularly want to be cheered up. Not that it’s a depressing album, but it certainly won’t encourage you to get up and dance or anything. “Anyime” stays true to the basic mould Wildes is working with here, by which I don’t mean to imply this is an example of a “cookie cutter” album, not by any means. But the same ideas flow through a lot of her music, and in my opinion it could do with a bit of a kick up the arse, as most of the time it seems determined to remain in the groove it seems to have become stuck in. Perhaps she prefers that. I think I’d rather hear more of a mix.
“Enfant” is a more acoustic number, but again low-key and somewhat morose; nice the way it drops away to just acoustic guitar and piano near the end there. The final track features the Flaming Lips, which means nothing to me, but might to you. I can’t honestly say I see anything different about “True Love (Make Me Believe)” and no real contribution the ones whose collagen goes on fire make, but I’m not that familiar with them to be able to make that determination, so maybe they do add a lot to it. Kind of a Beatles feel to it near the end.
Oh, and I don’t know what Discogs are on about
: I don’t hear any world, country, folk or really any rock in here. Honestly, it’s just too slow and moody. I think I need that Darkthrone album again!
Note: I know I use the word "moody" too much here. But it fits; it's just that kind of an album.
Favourite track(s): Far and Wide, Lightly, Real Life
Least favourite track(s):
Would I listen to more? I wouldn’t be rushing to, to be honest. This is her debut, so there’s no chance to do that at the moment, but it might be interesting to see how her sound develops over her next few albums, if it does. It wouldn’t worry me if I didn’t hear any more from her though.
Rating: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iCF...IktS4&index=10