The Wattles – (I Want To) Feel It All (2023)
Born of heart-warming sentimentality, Australian female-fronted band The Wattles tap into vulnerable emotion in their melodies just as they tapped into their Australian background for their name. In our interview with The Wattles, Lucy Murray (vocals and keys) explained the band name stems from a native Australian flower that she happens to have tattooed on her arm – told you it was sentimental. All “aw, that’s sweet” stuff aside, let’s talk about The Wattles and their music.
Originally an acoustic project for Murray and James Suttor (guitar), London-based The Wattles “were keen to move more into the indie-rock scene…” and in 2020, they changed their name recruiting Charlie Watkin (bass) and Stuart MacPherson (drums). The same year, The Wattles released their debut single ‘Bits & Pieces’ to critical acclaim and followed it up with the well-received ‘Days Glare’ and ‘Flame’. Skip ahead a couple of years and the foursome are turning heads with their moving indie melodies from 2021’s ‘The Noise’ to 2022’s ‘Flies’. The latest release from The Wattles is the single ‘(I Want To) Feel It All’.
Following the single ‘Take It Or Leave It’, ‘(I Want To) Feel It All’ adopts a blend of indie-rock with baroque pop in the cinematic soundscape. Retaining the signature reminiscence to Florence + The Machine with a dash of The Cranberries, listening to ‘(I Want To) Feel It All’ is like being set adrift in a fog-covered sonic ocean. Calm and gentle in the beginning with a dust of guitars and bass; however, the tumultuous waves beneath pick up in a bold crescendo filled with drums, dynamic guitars and Murray’s rich vocals. You start to lose yourself in the heady kaleidoscopic rush, then it peters out as you continue on a gentle sonic journey.
The second track of The Wattles’ upcoming EP Fooled, ‘(I Want To) Feel It All’ has you lost in its rollercoaster ride of music, but a steady sliver of profoundness runs through. Amidst the chaotic swoop of sound, Murray’s warm vocals tremble with vulnerability yet lead you with a soothing calm. She explains:
“For a long time, I’ve felt like a failure for my inability to sit still, but in recent years I’ve been actively learning to love all of my quirks and wirings and to ultimately give power to these. This song helped me solidify that I am proud of my inherent desire to change and put myself out there – to really feel all the things despite the inevitable falls that come with this…”
Find out more about The Wattles on their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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