Wooden Shjips – V.

A psychedelic summer escape

Wooden Shjips are back with their first album in five years, V. The group, consisting of Erik “Ripley” Johnson, Dusty Jermier, Omar Ahsanuddin and Nash Whalen have created another psychedelic, laidback masterpiece. V. is a great album for the summer, as it has a very dreamlike feeling to it that makes it a great album to listen to while relaxing in the summer sun. Wooden Shjips cite The Velvet Underground and Neil Young as two of their inspirations and these artist’s musical styles are reflected greatly throughout this album. For anyone who is a fan of ’60s inspired rock, V. is a great treat that is sure to impress.

V. begins with “Eclipse,” a fast-paced song with distorted vocals that blend behind the powerful drumbeat. The guitar on the song falls in line perfectly with the psychedelic style of the album, and much of the song is the instruments rather than the vocals. Though maybe not the strongest song on the album, it definitely characterizes the music that’s ahead for the listeners. The second song is “In The Fall” and it sounds very similar to “Eclipse” but with a less upbeat feeling to it. The instruments in this song are absolutely beautiful while remaining psychedelic, making it a perfect summer relaxation song.

The next two songs on the album are “Red Line” and “Already Gone.” “Red Line” is very catchy, and the Velvet Underground influence can be heard greatly in it. There are also instrumentals in it that sound reminiscent to a sitar, making “Red Line” a song that would fit just as well in the rock scene of the past as it does in that of today. “Already Gone” is a very different song, and it’s probably the least psychedelic song on the album. The vocals are clear, and the guitar riff throughout is simple yet catchy. The vocals begin to distort more to the end, reminding the listeners that this is no ordinary rock album.

Next, on V. are “Staring At The Sun” and “Golden Flower.” “Staring At The Sun” is arguably one of the best songs on the album, as the lyrics are captivating. “I was feeling low staring at the sun/ Crowds of people walk on by/ What a feeling to rise above/ Ashes falling around the town.” “Staring At The Sun” is the first single off of V. and Ripley Johnson has stated the fires in Portland last summer as the inspiration for the lyrics and emotions of the song. It’s a fun retro song that will appeal to all listeners. “Golden Flowers” is another catchy rock song, with a great drum solo mixed with haunting vocals in the middle. It’s very different than the other songs on V. but it’s a worthy addition nonetheless.

Finally, the album ends with “Ride On.” The beginning of “Ride On” has a Rolling Stone’s like sound to it, showing the wide variety of inspiration Wooden Shjips has had. It’s a slow song, but that’s what makes it beautiful, as it sends listeners back into the world with a gentle push. V. is available for purchase on May 25th 2018, and Wooden Shjips will be touring throughout the U.S. and U.K. during the summer and fall.