W. H. Lung's “Second Death Of My Face” is a slow-burning synth-driven Krautrock jam

13 March 2019, 11:00 | Written by Ross Horton

(Tracks)

(W. H. Lung)

Taken from their upcoming album Incidental Music, W. H. Lung's new release “Second Death Of My Face” establishes them as new players in modern rock.

W. H. Lung's first cut “Simpatico People” was a delightful homage to the originators of Krautrock. Their new track sees them pushing beyond the confines of that genre and into synthier, shinier territory.

While still retaining their now-hallmark sense of rhythmic propulsion, “Second Death of My Face” offers a spit-polished, chrome-plated melodic element to their sound - similar to the leap NEU! made between their second record and NEU! 75. The exciting thing about this pair of W. H. Lung tracks is that they're from the same record.

"I put down some nonsense for melody over an early draft," says Joseph E. of the band, "and when I listened back it sounded like ‘my face, my face.’ The images that followed seemed filmic and the idea went from there. The chorus came to me as I fiddled on the piano in Central Library. It was big and unashamed and I was thinking of Bowie.

"My phone had died so I couldn’t record it as a voice note. I remember the panic of not wanting to lose the melody and of needing to try the idea out (out loud). I rushed home with my eyes half closed, singing it over and over in my head. It's about watching your own life lived."

“Second Death Of My Face” is out now and debut album Incidental Music drops 5 April on Melodic Records, available to pre-order from Melodic or Bandcamp. They'll be playing UK tour dates including 18 May at London's Oslo. Find the rest of the dates on W. H. Lung's tour dates on their Facebook.