Wildly entertaining and flawlessly curated

Mammoth II is the sophomore album for Mammoth WVH, their debut album having been released in 2021. With only two years in between albums, Mammoth WVH curated a masterful follow-up to their premiere album, creating an intriguing, flawless and wildly talented work of art.  

“Miles Above Me” welcomes listeners with a track that ticks all boxes, from appealing lyrics to soulful vocals accompanied by flawless instrumentals. The song is upbeat and offers something for everyone, including the right amount of pop without being overpowering. The same goes for “Like a Pastime,” which seamlessly enmeshes the perfect blend of grit and melodic permanence. Mammoth WVH tackles minor scales while retaining an upbeat quality, thanks to the track’s fast-paced rhythm. The vocals bleed from one verse to the next, Wolfgang’s talent showcased throughout. 

“Optimist” comes in with a bit more attitude, the distortion preparing listeners for an edgier experience. The track covers a wide range of sounds but still hovers in minor-chord territory, comfortable in the murky depths of music that embodies a more pensive quality. “Waiting” offers a lighter approach than previous songs, a poignant expression of patience with a pretty melody. It’s simple, elegant and perfectly placed on the album. It doesn’t take long, however, before Mammoth WVH adds harder instrumentals to the song, kicking it up before falling back to let the lyrics speak for themselves. 

“Better Than You” opens with a punchy riff that introduces yet another dynamic song, the tune is fun and positioned against smart, entertaining lyrics. As with the other tracks, the lyrics are masterfully crafted and offer a deeper insight into Mammoth WVH. The entire album offers expertly crafted melodies, sharp instrumentals that transition from alt-rock to hard rock and lyrics that simply cannot be ignored. 

It’s hard not to fall into everything that Mammoth II has to offer. Yes, the vocals are on point. Yes, the instrumentals are exactly what listeners crave. But the lyrics, coupled with the consistent use of minor chords, lend a haunting feel to the entire album. It’s definitely music that can effortlessly be listened to, it’s also the kind of music that demands attention. It’s thought-provoking, powerful and it’s worthy of its title.