Well, this was a long time coming, but it’s finally here! Square Wild have released their first album, Otherling. They have been racking up festival appearances for a number of years now, gaining a sizeable audience along the way, and getting rave reviews for their powerful and energetic live show. What was missing was a proper album, but now Otherling has been born. It was worth the wait.
Square Wild are a fabulous live band, fronted by Lucy Shevchuk who lives and breathes this music. They know no genres or boundaries, but heavy crunchy guitars are never far away, and a prog slant is usually around each corner. I suppose the question for me, having seen them live quite a few times, was could they translate an exciting live show into a coherent album. The answer is yes. Otherling is a glorious mash up of styles, with hook laden songs, heft, and a healthy dose of attitude. Listening from start to finish is a ride through a range of styles that is never less than engaging, and often thrilling.
Lucy has something of a penchant for targeting those who upset her in her songs, and opening number Shadow Puppets is a good example. Here she aims her derision at social media influencers and particularly the use of sex to attract followers.
A glassy stare for your fake friends
Frame it, crop it, just don’t stop it, keep smiling
Smile so wide ‘til you decide you’re dead inside.’
Similarly, in Proper Gander, Lucy vents her spleen over fake news and spam posts.
Every bullshit post that they create.’
In Pins and Mould the target is less clear, but it’s a great slice of proggy hard rock with a wonderfully tasteful dreamy middle section which illustrates the breadth of influences which are crammed into this record. Each spin reveals details previously missed, such is the depth of this album. The psychedelic tinge to the track is colourful and hypnotic.
Kill The King is gloriously heavy, Tomos Cooper hammering his kit with power and precision, locking together with bassist Benedict Rhodes until they rock like one machine. Lucy and Jack Vallance provide the riffing firepower, making this another memorable slab of mayhem. Sloth follows, with a delightful jazzy and playful intro, memorable hooks, and great guitar work as the piece builds in intensity. Tomos shows his versatility behind the drum kit, and Benedict’s bass lines are spot on.
Hammerchest proves there is yet another, softer side to Square Wild, with Lucy revealing a more personal lyric.
Hair pulled out it’s pouring down my dress
And would you stop and look at me
The little pretty girl who’s so smiley
And think she’s a mess?’
There’s a bluesy restrained accompaniment, with great guitar licks until the piece eventually builds to a dizzy climax. Probably the proggiest (and longest) song here is Malleus, a moody and magnificent beast, dark and dangerous, and sonically seductive. There are witchy overtones, vampiric perhaps, to the lyrics, and the music reflects the feeling of helplessness in the presence of this malevolence. It’s a highlight in an album which has many peaks.
Finally we close out with the excellent Masquerade, a typically slightly mad romp, combining a kind of weird burlesque cabaret atmosphere with hard rock, and even a Santana style samba element. The big finish is dazzling, but it turns out to be a false ending as we return to the samba for the fade.
It’s all thoroughly entertaining, as is the whole album. Prasheen Naran has done a great job mixing the record, which sounds fresh and vibrant, just as the band do onstage. Square Wild clearly love what they do, and their enthusiasm seeps out of every song on Otherling, and it’s infectious. I’d recommend this album to anyone. Hopefully the follow up won’t take another five years to emerge!
TRACK LISTING
01. Shadow Puppets (6:11)
02. Pins & Mould (6:22)
03. Sailor (3:08)
04. Red & Blue (3:28)
05. The Drifter (2:27)
06. Kill The King (4:16)
07. Sloth (4:47)
08. Hammerchest (5:56)
09. Malleus (7:15)
10. Proper Gander (4:21)
11. Masquerade (6:41)
Total Time – 54:51
MUSICIANS
Lucy Shevchuk – Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Tomos Cooper – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Jack Vallance – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Benedict Rhodes – Bass
Nathan Butcher – Percussion, Synth, Backing Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 24th August 2026
LINKS
Square Wild – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
