12 Fév The Wombats – Oh! The Ocean [ENG]

Every 3–4 years, we get a new album from The Wombats. And here it is: Oh! The Ocean, the band’s sixth album!

Where Do The Wombats Stand? That’s the question on our minds as we dive into this new release. The band has never really taken a break, and if you add Murph’s two solo albums (largely forgettable), that makes eight albums in 18 years. Naturally, with such a pace, there’s a risk of stagnation and losing their audience’s interest.

Looking back at their discography: their debut album won over indie rock fans with its originality and energy, while the second album surprised us with the addition of synths—a true musical evolution. Their third album, Glitterbug (2015), featured several strong singles and blew up on TikTok thanks to Greek Tragedy, introducing the band to a whole new generation. But since then, they seem to be searching for a second wind. The last two albums weren’t bad at all and had some great tracks (Turn, Ready for the High, Cheetah Tongue…), but they lacked surprises and relied on the same formula, making the songs feel almost interchangeable.

Naturally, when looking for explanations, production comes into play. The Wombats’ last three albums were produced by Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag’n’Bone Man, MIKA…). But for Oh! The Ocean, they decided to shake things up by working with producer John Congleton (Anna Calvi, Death Cab For Cutie, St. Vincent…). In an interview with the NME, Murph explained: « The decision to work with someone else came from the fact that repeating the same thing felt riskier. That just wasn’t an option. We felt like we knew exactly what to expect with Mark.”

And it seems like the right choice, as the sonic shift is striking! A fresh start for the band, with a more sophisticated sound and newfound energy. The best example is probably Kate Moss, which explores a mysterious and hypnotic pop territory—something completely new in their discography!

Unlike their previous albums, Oh! The Ocean feels far more cohesive, with a strong identity. Even if the tracks don’t stand out as obvious “hits” , you keep coming back to each song, noticing small details or instrumental choices that hook you. A few highlights:

• The ending of Can’t Say No, where the guitar and vocals harmonize beautifully
• The drumming on Blood On The Floor
• The synth/bass combo on Gut-Punch
• The groove of I Love America And She Hates Me
• The riff and short final solo on The World’s Not Out To Get Me, I Am

In the end, maybe that’s what this album is about: enjoying the moment without overanalyzing Murph’s every intention. After all, the album’s title (Oh! The Ocean) comes from a personal experience of his: “This album is about how I’m always stuck in my head — how I’m there without really being there — and my attempt to be more present in my own life. […] I took my family to the beach in Orange County, the kids were playing in the distance, and I was just standing there, looking at the ocean. […] I saw the waves and everything as if it was my first time. It felt like I was an alien, dropped onto a beach, blindfold removed, and shown the ocean. I just thought, ‘What the hell? How did this get here?’ It was the most awe-struck moment of my life.”

Reflecting this contemplative vibe, Lobster serves as the perfect closer, with a bassline that punctuates the song beautifully. This sixth album from The Wombats truly offers something different — not perfect, and maybe with two or three tracks too many at the end — but what a pleasure to hear them trying something new. Their best album since Glitterbug!

Tracklist

Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come
Can’t Say No
Blood On The Hospital Floor
Kate Moss
Gut-Punch
My Head Is Not My Friend
I Love America And She Hates Me
The World’s Not Out To Get Me, I Am
Grim Reaper
Reality Is A Wild Ride
Swerve (101)
Lobster

Reviewer’s Rating: 6.5/10

Favorite Tracks: I Love America And She Hates Me, Kate Moss, Gut-Punch

The Wombats will be stopping byt Paris on March 28, 2025, at Le Trabendo—we recommend this playlist to get ready for the show!