Slippery kelp in the tideIt’s awful hard to hang on to each otherFlying around hot H2O moleculesBalls that come in contact often alter their direction
The UK music scene has known and reveled in the electric allure of W. H. Lung, with their live shows often described as nothing short of hypnotic. After a hiatus that lasted nearly two years, the band finally prepares to take the USA by storm with their first-ever headline tour, and today they’re blessing audiences with a tantalizing musical hors d’oeuvre.
Brace yourselves for W. H. Lung’s rendition of “High Pressure Days,” the iconic 1979 track from San Francisco’s synth-punk legends, The Units. With their knack for infusing a unique spin, W.H. Lung breathes new life into this old gem with a modern synthpop zeal, akin to The Killers and Saint Motel. Their faithful, yet amplified, rendition feels like an adrenaline-fueled sprint through a pulsating metropolis. Every beat and rhythm encapsulates the frenetic pace of city life, reminiscent of a train racing against time, every clack and clang echoing the urgency of a heartbeat in overdrive.
Joe Evans’ passionate vocals cascade through this catchy number, like a voice chasing shadows, weaving between the relentless onslaught of drums and the unpredictable wails of the theremin. It’s a brilliant exploration of the cacophony of urban chaos, a soundtrack to the rush and hustle, evoking the sensation of being immersed in the heartbeat of a city that never sleeps. Even if you want to stay put, your feet will absolutely have other ideas.
The video, one of the best offerings this year, is a classic corporate hellscape story, with a truly authentic 1980s aesthetic. The time-honoured trope’s been done by everyone from Heaven 17 to They Might Be Giants to The Vels to Peter Gabriel, but director Craig McLaughlin’s version has a Manic Pixie Dream Girl twist. The video, shot in a single day in Manchester, portrays singer Evans trapped in the monotonous cycle of corporate life. Evans and director Craig Mclaughlin describe the video as a portrayal of the “cyclical white-collar nightmare of Mr. Everyman-office-worker.”
The protagonist’s mundane life takes a turn when a mysterious figure on his computer screen appears. If you ever wondered what ever happened to that lady in the Safety Dance video, she’s reincarnated here, yanking our cortisol-soaked businessman through a kaleidoscopic cyberspace wonderland. Is it delightful escapism, or has the bleak office grind finished him off at last? Maybe we find our answer at the end!
Watch the video below:
Named after a Chinese supermarket in their native Manchester, W.H. Lung is comprised of singer Joe Evans, guitarist Tom Sharkett, drummer Alex Mercer Main, vocalist and synth player Hannah Peace, and Chris Mulligan on bass and synths.
Recorded at the band’s new Manchester studio, Futuro House, with the collaboration of The Orielles and co-producer Lewis Johnson-Kellett, High Pressure Days is a masterful blend of modular synths and unpredictable guitar riffs.W. H. LUNG’s rendition of the song aligns seamlessly with their modern take on electronic pop, paying homage to the original while adding their unique touch.
Catch them on tour this autumn! You will not want to miss out.
W. H. LUNG Live in 2023
- 8th September – Down at the Abbey Festival, Reading, UK
- 14th September – Partisan Fundraiser w/ The Orielles, Dee Rae & Adjustments, Islington mill
- 23rd September – Float Along Festival, Sheffield
- 28th September – New York, Le Poisson Rouge
- 29th September – Philadelphia, Milkboy
- 3rd October – Detroit, Lager House
- 4th October – Chicago, Empty Bottle
- 5th October – Milwaukee, Cactus Club
- 8th October – Seattle, Barboza
- 9th October – San Francisco, Rickshaw Stop
- 12th October – Los Angeles, The Echo
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