I came across the band's debut album, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain, this past Friday, entering into it with mixed emotions, fueled by not knowing what the hell was about to come over the speakers. After all, WU LYF stands for "World United/Lucifer Youth Foundation" and the band often refers to themselves as the Tu-Wang Gang, an obvious homage to the Wu-Tang Clan.
For those interested in just what the hell WU LYF is, 3voor12 is streaming Go Tell Fire to the Mountain in its entirety. Trust me on this one, WU LYF is most definitely worth a listen or two.
I knew not what the hell I was getting into when I first heard Go Tell Fire, yet I was instantly hooked once I listened to the album's second track, "Cave Song." It's got elements of post-punk drums and rousing Arcade Fire-esque organs, all tied together by lead singer Ellery Roberts' confounding, unintelligible lyrics. Roberts singing style is as bizarre as it is sudden -- it comes at you with nary a raspy warning, yet you find yourself immensely enjoying it even though you understand about 2 percent of what he's actually saying -- and that's only because he often screams and yelps.
After all is said and done, WU LYF is yet another British band to hang your hat on -- a solid group of talented musicians that, while initial buzz about them seemed somewhat gimmicky, have proven to be worthy of all the hype. Hell, even NME finds them to be "fucking amazing."
Go Tell Fire to the Mountain is out now digitally in the U.K. and Europe. It will be released in the U.S. on August 22 via L Y F. Hear the album in its entirety via 3voor12.
Please to enjoy the video for "Dirt:"
WU LYF - DIRT from LUCIFER YOUTH FOUNDATION on Vimeo.
