Crack

18/20

What WU LYF were going for with their name is something we’ve pondered and pondered to the point this will be the last time we debate it. World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation is a talking point.

More importantly, WU LYF have created 10 songs of incredible quality on their debut record, Go Tell Fire To The Mountain, and in the process unearthed one of the most distinctive, beautiful and unique voices of 2011. If Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys had necked a load of gravel and was being backed by the XX after they’d necked a load of whiskey, you’d have a taste of WU LYF.

The emotions present on this record aren’t being expressed with anything less than the beautiful desperation present in Ellery Robert’s voice. One has to wonder over time how Robert’s voice will handle such a consistent vocal hammering. All the raw feeling expressed in the vocals are poured out in swathes of crafted songs, that never stray into hard rock territory but instead are ramped up by drum fills and lyrics growled at you with a heartfelt longing and a wonderful sincerity. It’s a vocal performance that demands your attention with the level of intensity it throws at you.

If there is a criticism, the tropical sounding guitar wears a tad thin as the album approaches its end, but it’s nowhere near enough to stop the whole thing being a full experience. Spat through grit, blood and clenched teeth, Go Tell Fire To The Mountain is a mood evoking debut featuring one of the most astounding voices to emerge in recent times.



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Words: Hulio Borgeois

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