Wildlife (Eco-Mix Viny)

The post-hardcore band La Dispute from Grand Rapids, Michigan, have come a long way since the release of their debut album *Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair* in 2008, and their second album *Wildlife* is proof of that. Whereas previously Jordan Dreyer’s vocals and the instrumental performance vied for the listener’s attention, here the band members not only work more cohesively, but the vocals and instruments complement one another. Musically, guitarists Kevin Wittemor and Chad Starenberg pay less attention to unusual time signatures, favouring emotionally charged chord progressions, whilst bassist Adam Wass and drummer Bradley Vander Lugt set the rhythm. This helps to highlight Dreyer’s vocal style, which blends singing and spoken word as he delivers mature lyrics inspired by loss and despair in songs about gang violence (‘King Park’), mental health (‘Edward Benz, 27 Times’) and the death of a child (‘I See Everything’). The composition even goes beyond the scope of a concept album, offering four monologues presented as the author’s unpublished short stories (‘A Departure’, ‘A Letter’, ‘A Poem’, ‘A Broken Jar’). ‘Wildlife’ is the best of both worlds: it conveys the energy and power fans have come to expect from La Dispute, whilst demonstrating a maturity that transcends the band’s age.

- Chrysta Cherrie (AllMusic)