Canadian indie-pop band, WOTTS share their exhilarating new single, “Wilson,” a track that perfectly captures the spirit of nostalgic pop within the forefront of today’s indie era. “Wilson” hooks listeners with some early-on distorted synth sounds that then switch into a driving, infectious beat that few can resist. It opens up to an immensely layered sound of vocals, vibrant synths, and a riff by the leading electric guitar.
Channelling modern indie icons such as Tame Impala and Brothertiger, WOTTS bring a new sound with a recognisable but strikingly distinct twist. “Wilson” is the second single from the duo’s upcoming EP Good People, Bad People and perfectly embodies their fearless approach to pop music. The single is produced by band vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jayem; it’s a perfect fit for the summer anthem with its bold fusion of 80s vibes mashed with modern indie pop.
Jayem’s production throughout “Wilson” is shining, threading these timeless sounds into a contemporary framework. “Since day one we’ve always looked to incorporate ‘timeless sounds’ into our music” he explains. “Whether it’s pieces of The Smiths for our track “Laundry”, or bits of The Beatles in “there”, we love mixing old with new. While this new one isn’t necessarily linked to an older band, it’s heavily inspired by newer acts that wear the same influences on their sleeves.”
This follows “Laundry,” where the guitars jangle over a lilting post-punk tune laden with inspiration from numerous British heroes. The band’s bassist and guitarist Ricky 100 further elaborates on the influences of the group: “There’s so much music from the UK that’s impacted us over the years. It was only a matter of time before that influence made its way into our tracks.”
“Wilson” feels outwardly present with its spirited pop sensibilities, yet it is grounded with the psych-pop strokes that WOTTS fans have become accustomed to. Jayem says, “We’ve been doing this for two years and I think we’re starting to settle into a lane. We’ll always be down to throw in something fresh, but we like the idea of having a recognizable sound”
Two singles are now out from their next EP—what can fans expect from Good People, Bad People? As Ricky defined it: “On our last EP (PETALS) we focused more on telling a cohesive story rather than making sure the sound was consistent. Here we wanted to embrace the best of what we’ve put out to date, while also making sure everything ties together sonically”
“Wilson” is a chapter in what promises to be an eventful year for WOTTS. Jayem added: “We got the rest of EP coming out this summer, and we’re starting to dip our toes into the world of music videos. On top of all that, we’re starting to record our first full-length record. So here’s hoping people aren’t growing tired of us because we got lots more on the way and we’ve never been more excited” The sugary sweet energy and rich, nostalgic sound of “Wilson” promises listeners lots of excitement.
You can find more of WOTTS at:
You can listen to ‘Wilson’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.