What began as a project meant to challenge two eager song-writers from South-East London, Oh Wonder, formed by Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West, never imagined to form the band or go on tour. The duo released one song a month for a year on Soundcloud gaining millions of listens and a dedicated fanbase forcing the two to create Oh Wonder and start their life as touring musicians. Now having released their sophomore album, Ultralife, Gucht and West have shown off their musical capabilities to a new level.
The entirety of Ultralife was composed, produced and recorded by the duo in their home studio in their London apartment. Similar to their debut, Ultralife is an album full of dreamy beats and raw, emotional lyrics though it still emphasizes their musical growth throughout the last two years.
Opening the album with “Solo”, the listener is surrounded by the smooth and serene voices of Gucht and West singing about finding yourself, needing space to breathe and being who you are free from the crowd.
The album continues with the title track “Ultralife”, an upbeat song about finding someone who makes you so happy that they give you your ‘Ultralife’. You will no doubt find yourself smiling by the end of the track.
The entirety of Ultralife is built upon carefully constructed synth beats soaked in the warmth of Gucht and West’s vocals complementing each other in perfect harmony. Throughout the LP, there are several songs that keep you hanging onto every word uttered by the duo, “Bigger Than Love” and “My Friends” being two of them that hold the audience at attention.
As a whole, Oh Wonder have created an album destined to shoot them into pop stardom. Ultralife is the best sophomore album that Oh Wonder could have released.
Catch them touring the USA and Canada in the fall:
Sept. 6 – Vancouver, BC – Malkin Bowl
Sept. 8 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre
Sept. 9 – Calgary, AB – Macewan Hall
Sept. 11 – Winnipeg, MB – The Garrick
Sept. 12 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Sept. 13 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
Sept. 15 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theater
Sept. 18 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Sept. 21 – Montreal, QC – Metroplis
Sept. 22 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
Sept. 23 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
Sept. 26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
Sept. 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
Sept. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Sept. 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
Oct. 2 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Oct. 4 – Richmond, VA – The National
Oct. 6 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
Oct. 7 – Knoxville, TN – BIJOU Theatre
Oct. 8 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City
Oct. 10 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
Oct. 11 – Austin, TX – STUBB’S BBQ
Oct. 13 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
Oct. 14 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
Oct. 15 – San Diego, CA – SOMA
Oct. 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine Expo Hall
Oct. 19 – Oakland, CA – The Fox Theater
Oct. 21 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom O
Oct. 22 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theater
Alt-Pop | Island Records
