"Don't Look Now" is Way Out West's long-awaited new album. Ever since they stormed into the scene with "The Gift," Jody Wisternoff and Nick Warren of Way Out West have been ones to watch. With the new album they're focusing on breakbeat and house- creating unique melodies, sounds and arrangements to make the CD truly fly. The finely crafted atmospheres are mixed with one tight, slammin', funky beat after the next. Right off the bat the sound production is stellar, living up to WOW's high standards. Also, it's exciting to hear their new vocalist, Omi. She's got a great-sounding, soulful voice and is a strong addition- WOW's self-proclaimed "secret weapon." She isn't singing on every track, but pops out every once in a while for some sublime vocal moments, particularly on the new track "Fear." All the elements have come together with "Don't Look Now," and fans can be assured it's been worth the wait. From start to stop this CD plays like a single mix- a beat-mixed journey with hills, valleys, storming peaks and blissful repose. There's a feeling of adventure when listening to the CD, and I can tell it will be fun for repeat listening. "Don't Look Know" holds together very naturally and will stand the test of time.
Omi makes an immediate debut in the first song, "Anything But You" - a pretty, wistful vocal over a pumping, evolved breakbeat. Next comes "Don't Forget Me" with a downtempo groove; again complemented with Omi's sultry, smoky vocals. Immediately it's apparent that Omi's voice helps bring together the soundscape into something cohesive and personal- giving the whole project a songwriter's appeal. "Everyday" (track 3) is the first instrumental and seems to warm up WOW's beat engine before sliding into "Apollo" - a tight, bouncy breakbeat and speed garage bassline, morphing into an epic
instrumental track featuring a trippy flute solo. Things slow down a bit with an ethereal, lowtempo house track, "Changes" sounding like a futuristic, dark cityscape. Out of the dark come some swingin' tribal drums bringing the energy up with the 6th track, "Fear" - a fierce, pounding percussive track that breaks into ambience before Omi's welcome vocals lead the build-up to a climactic peak. Things calm down a bit with the synoptocated breakbeat of "Coming Home". "Just Like A Man" follows with a big beat drum sound reminiscent of John Bonham - slow rocking the track while Omi's vocals shine with beauty and intelligence. The bassline is a monstrous, repeating dirge, complementing the song well. Definitely my favorite of all the slower songs on this album. Tasty guitars, violins, synths all combine in this bittersweet tune which seamlessly blends into the next track, "Killa." Out of the blue comes a slammin' house beat with some abstract and compelling vocal chants. This one really pounds; Way Out West is definitely into these great speed garage basslines. "Killa" seems like it would be tons of fun on any house dancefloor - it's a truly pounding the beat and peaks the album. Slowing down a bit, "Northern Lights" has yet
more subsonic bass, beginning with a mellow feel and evolving into a hard midtempo drum break. "Melt" features Way Out West's distinctive, orchestral breakbeat sound along with Omi's vocals before fading to the last track, "Absinthe Dreams"- a dreamy vibe, complemented with the childlike toy piano, echoing into trip-hop heaven. It's a well ended affair.
"Anything But You," "Fear" & "Killa" sound like the standout dance-floor singles from this album. Stellar album tracks like "Don't Forget Me," "Everyday," "Just Like A Man" and "Melt" make certain there's no filler- it's all quality and plays great start to finish. Way Out West succeed at entertaining with their unique style of electronica, bringing soul to the machine again and again.
