Bastille 'Wild World' review

Image: Bastille

Bastille have come a very long way since their debut album Bad Blood took over the charts back in 2013. The album was an instant hit, claiming top spot and leaving fans hungry for more. 

Wild World is energetic and up-beat from the off, opening with radio smash Good Grief. Despite being first heard in mid-June, it has undoubtedly maintained its momentum. 

The album plays at a considerably faster pace than their previous bodies of work. The grittiness of ‘The Currents’, for example, shows a new and more commercial side of the London based quartet.

What is masked behind the more up-tempo tracks are front-man Dan Smith’s sorrowing, painful lyrics. Ranging from funeral and death references in 'Good Grief' to “praying that the ground will swallow me whole” on 'Snakes'.

There is no disguising the melancholy in such tracks as 'Four Walls' and 'An Act Of Kindness'. Both provide a refreshing change of pace that is reminiscent of their earlier work. Equally 'Two Evils' has the same effect as it sees Smith strip things back to just his falsetto vocals and a solitary guitar.

Bastille never seem to be off the road, having performed at Glastonbury, V Festival and T in The Park to name but a few. They have clearly drawn on their experiences from playing live to thousands upon thousands as the majority of songs would very much suit a festival atmosphere.

'Lethargy' is one of those which is guaranteed to bring the roof down, with a melody which cries out to be sung or, more likely, screamed along with. 

It’s clear that on Wild Worlds Bastille are embracing their rocketing popularity, honing a more upbeat approach to electro-pop that's capable of fleshing out arenas - Can you blame them? 

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