Working music bloggers, journalists and A&R men into somewhat of a sticky mess at the moment are a young pop band with more than a knowing knack for causing a stir, with their refusal to commit to interviews, photoshoots of them as a gang of balaclava clad revolutionaries and tales of winding up London’s preying record labels by supplying misinformation to their chief A&R scouts. Their method of releasing music has also been somewhat unconventional – a sabotaged MySpace page had previously redirected to their World Unite page, which until recently was a labyrinth of propaganda imagery with hidden downloads, and their debut EP, released in a hand-made edition of 14, retailed – to the exploited few – at an astonishing £50.
The name too appears to deliberately mislead – pronounced ‘Woo Life’ it has obvious connotations of Wu-Tang influence, particularly given they have previously gone by the monikers of Tu-Wang Gang, Wu Lf Wu Lf and Wu Def to name but a few… Wu Lyf, however, is an acronym for ‘World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation’…. a deceleration of their “statement of intent” – again, all part of the mystique, the drama….
It’s confusion, it would seem, that Wu Lyf revel in… misinformation, misleading imagery – the truth is there are only four in the band – and a challenging approach to the modern could lead some (many?) to the cynical conclusion that the music just doesn’t stand up…. but, by Christ, it does. Whilst the enigma certainly adds massively to the package – those who suggest image hasn’t forever been intertwined in rock music should leave now – the brutally brilliant onslaught of droning psychedelic chamber-pop over which frontman Ellery Roberts delivers his drawling, marginally possessed vocals – a kind of fusion of The Birthday Party era Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Richard Ashcroft meeting up with Robert Johnson’s devil at the crossroads – is reminiscent of Kevin Shields attempting to cover a Phil Spector produced Sigur Ros, with members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor….. whilst thoroughly stoned.
Whilst initial recordings are difficult – and bordering upon unhinged – a quick listen to Vagina Wolf (most likely an early incarnation of the band – remember, they don’t give anything away) and it’s strong Pixies influence should give indication of where they’ve come from, and the foundations their sonic assault is built upon. Anyway, enough of listening to our bullshit over-analysis, crank up your speakers and listen to the future for yourself, and if you – like us – simply can’t get enough, be sure to head down to one of their regular outings at their manager’s An Outlet in Piccadilly, Manchester – the next being this Saturday, 29th May……
Wu Lyf: Heavy Pop
Wu Lyf: Concrete Gold
Wu Lyf: Such A Sad Puppy Dog
Vagina Wolf: Nic Cave
Words By;
James Davidson; Editor in Chief