from the press release, edited by Ben Hogwood

In the weird world of Wevie Stonder, things are never straightforward. The five-piece collective headed up by Al Boorman have returned with their first album in 15 years – and one reason it took so long is that they couldn’t think of a title.

The group are renowned for their outlandish electronics and humorous vocal performances, with a series of treasured records on Manchester’s eminent Skam Records, and their latest album Sure Beats Living ventures into unknown realms. Introducing a host of new characters, tall tales and bizarre scenarios to a musical backdrop as varied as it is striking, the record darts between ambient tranquillity, strange soundtracks, bass-heavy beats and emotive R&B.

Opener That’s Magic features a magician talking us through a convoluted magic trick, to a mysterious synth theme that a celebrity conjurer might use to help the pyramids disappear. It’s probably one of the only pieces of music to draw influences from Paul Daniels.

Carpet Squares is a hefty slab of squirming machine bass, acid squidges and clanking industrial drums, its samples extolling the virtues of fitting comfortable flooring, with a voiceover recorded on a Canadian golf course.

Vanja & Slavcho tells the odd story of twins who have an extraordinary ability to a bustle of spiralling arpeggios and comedic sound effects, while Tiktaalik has a glam rock beat, guitar twangs, wild synth runs and dance music drum rolls that build to nowhere, plus processed dolphin noises and a vocal about evolution. Then there’s Piccolo’s Travels, a spellbinding mix of classical strings and…is that a malfunctioning Clanger?

Album Titles lists rejected names for the record to hilarious effect, with outlandish blips, accordion riffs and bubbling percussion setting the scene, The 38th Parallel is a wonky slab of electronica, while Push It has everything from rock guitar interjections to explosions and birdsong.

If Customer Services imagines the bewildering experience of dealing with a sentient automated phone call, then the following Nothing To Write Home About is a waltz-time organ piece with a nostalgic, bittersweet air. Ready? lists practically every genre under the sun and gives you a burst of it, from drill to country & western, hardcore to Miami bass, and the final track, The Void, is an Autotune-laced R&B track with a deep, emotional core.

That’s the genius of Wevie Stonder: their ability to make you laugh one minute, and the next transport you to an atmospheric reverie.

Wevie Stonder are Al Boorman, Chris Umney, Henry Sargeant, Nadir Al-Badri and Rich Sothcott. Although now all based in different countries, the seeds of the group were sown in a quiet Suffolk village when at the age of six, Al and Rich recorded a group of chickens down a telephone and played it back while hitting a three-stringed guitar & a biscuit tin.

Tracklist

1. That’s Magic
2. Carpet Squares
3. Vanja & Slavcho
4. Tiktaalik
5. Piccolo’s Travels
6. Album Titles
7. The 38th Parallel
8. Push It
9. Customer Services
10. Nothing To Write Home About
11. Ready
12. The Void

For ordering information, head to the dedicated Bandcamp page for this release.

Published post no.2,560 – Wednesday 11 June 2025