The artist takes on a range of themes and styles as he explores darkness and light on his new sophomore LP If Destroyed Still True
A recurring theme in the recent releases from Edinburgh alternative artist’s Marky Wildtype’s recent output has been the artist’s determination to strive for positives, to search for light in the dark when things seem bleak and hopeless and provide both himself and listeners with something to cling to and feel inspired and reinvigorated by. This theme forms the crux of the artist’s new album If Destroyed Still True, a collection of tracks that navigate some of the personal trials and tribulations and darkness that the artist has had to push through, looking to seek out some of that aforementioned light.
The album opens with the artist’s previous single ‘Tell Me Again’, a synthy and almost new wave-tinged track that immediately highlights the range of ideas and style that are going to be explored on the album, and the lengths that the artist is willing to push his sound to in order to stand out and keep it feeling expansive. The scathing tone of the sang/spoken vocals and intense tone of the track makes for compelling listening here that immediately ushers you into Marky’s unique sonic world.
‘Ship of Theseus’ follows, a more stripped-back track that maintains the intense, atmospheric feel of the album while building upon the versatility and uniqueness of the artist’s style, with the understated melodies and isolated vocals demonstrating the artist’s capabilities to captivate and transfix in even the most minimal of settings.
The catchy, existential-crisisy, CLOUT-lauded single ‘The Hole’ follows, detailing a bit more of the artist’s unfurling state of mind and exploring themes like addiction, struggle and existential dread as he scrambles to try to find some kind of meaning and something to make life feel a bit more worthwhile. There are some really unique and anxious moments throughout this track, and it feels like a clear highlight on an album that is full of distinctive appeal.
There is a more hopeful feel on its follow-up ‘Days, Months and Years’, a track that sees the artist taking on a bit more of a rational state of mind as he looks forward with a bit more of a sense of optimism, and this is reflected through the lighter tone of the sound. This more optimistic feel bleeds into ‘Place of Peace’ also, a track that sees the artist still battling with things like intrusive thoughts and similar challenges but seemingly with more of a grip over them and with a much more tranquil sound once again.
The grungy tones and explosive riffs of ‘Tomorrow’ rear their emphatic head next, providing a bit more of a sharper cutting edge to Marky Wildtype’s sound and giving it a bit more of a hefty and seismic appeal. The same demons are being fought throughout the narrative here, but a gorgeous chorus and nuanced, thoughtful appeal make for a track that feels inescapably memorable and charming.
The powerful strings and layered vocals provide ‘DRAMA!’ with all of the pomp and bombast that you would expect from a track with the title, while ‘North Star’ takes on a bit more of a cerebral and slow-burning approach to its sound that builds over time and ascends to some really poignant and powerful heights with the kind of alternative rock charm that feels inspiring and rousing every step of the way.
The apex of the album comes in the form of the album six minute long ‘Endless Sea’, a track that is packed full of twists and turns, emotional vocals, thoughtful lyrics, guitars, pianos, and a winding and immersive musical landscape that takes you on this voyage with the artist that feels engrossing and moving throughout. This truly feels like what the rest of the album has been building towards, and makes for a really memorable and one-of-a-kind listening experience as a result.
As ‘Hidden In Snow’ sees the album out, and the artist explores the way that things can never truly be hidden forever, and that everything will come to the surface and reveal itself eventually, it provides a nice moment to reflect on the battles and journeys that the album has chronicled and the range of ways that the artist has navigated them. His sound has ranged from stripped-back, to all-encompassing, to thoughtful, to dynamic, and been packed full of memorable moments and unexpected developments that have ensured that it felt exciting right to the end. This is a journey that will resonate with many and leave a lasting impression on listeners, and both the narrative and the range of styles on the album will ensure that those that hear it will find something to attach themselves to and feel moved by, and as the instrumental climax of its final track provides it with a fittingly thoughtful ending, the artist’s story is allowed to soak in and be reflected on.
