Oh Wonder - Down - ThatWeirdMusic

Oh Wonder break down their feelings on “Down”

London duo, Oh Wonder have built their sound on a strain of alt-pop that stands out for its effortless cool, fitting amorous sentiments to clean, purely understated productions. Members Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht have always come across as a musical couple in their songs, even though they only revealed that they were in a relationship upon the release of their third album, 2020’s “No One Else Can Wear Your Crown.”

Much has transpired since then, with the pandemic hindering their creative efforts, and their romantic chemistry almost dissolving — but instead ending with a pleasant twist. The two documented their road to break up in real time, feeding off the friction and expressing their emotions musically. The result is an “almost” break up song with few parallels, capturing the energies of both individuals involved. Making it more unique yet is the turn of events that found West and Vander Gucht ultimately not only reconciling, but getting married.

In this sense, Oh Wonder’s latest release, “Down” is a testament to the power of music. Simultaneously, it confirms the value of drama and chaos in inspiring art, with the band taking on a new edge and exploring unanticipated musical directions, resulting in their most intimate record yet. The new material marks a shift toward raw spontaneity, and takes shape from the charged emotions at play. The song still rings with the band’s characteristic light, spacious tendencies, but also reveal new color and depth, with bouts of passion tempered with abundant frivolity.

Oh Wonder perfectly makes the listener feel every single emotion on “Down,” with both members were pushing themselves to the limit throughout their creative process. The moving track comes with a fascinating and unique concept, with a level of honesty that many will describe as intense. Oh Wonder certainly seem to work best when there’s some structure in place, and this is evident on “Down.” It’s the duo at their best, moving with an inviting sound design, properly matched by stimulating lyricism and production.

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