“If there’s kindness in clarity, tell me what it is you want from me.”
The interestingly-named Wifecult are an Australian alternative trio who see their background in bands including La Dispute, The Almost and Sunbleached. Having debuted in 2020 with When All is Said and Done, they now enter their second chapter with Kindness In Clarity, an EP, which comes weeks after touring with the likes of Ocean Grove on their headliner and regional tours with Deez Nuts and Bloom. On their sophomore record they weave an intricate sound that makes for a pleasing listen.
A springy opening to “Hold It Down” enters an ebb and flow between its riff-laden choruses and pacey rudiments in its verses, all commanded by vocalist and guitarist Jarith Hughes. The steady opener sees Wifecult begin to slowly reveal their quality, without fully giving it away just yet. “Jasmine” follows this, with a pinch of reverb and pitching at times on guitars that sits delicately between the toe-tapping grooves of the drums and the almost confessional lyrics. The track continues to hold its own into an extended instrumental period that offers a psychedelic-esque guitar solo.
Within all this, there is an unmistakeable warmth that comes through on Kindness In Clarity, an EP; whether it’s the touching on familiar influences or the honesty dripping from its lyricism, there is no sense of the EP feeling obtuse as a listen. “Wearing Thin” sees the vulnerability peeled back, and an injection of solitude and self-reflection added. Despite a somewhat toning down instrumentally to focus on the vocals, in their subtle moments they continue to impress with some gorgeous performances.
Closer “Rose” does come sooner than anticipated, and it does feel as if Wifecult could have fit one or two further songs here, even if their formula does perhaps begin to slightly wear itself out as “Rose” departs. Despite that, Kindness In Clarity, an EP, is a pleasant and easy listen. While it may not deconstruct or reinvent its sound, it gives a space to rest and reflect within its craftsmanship.
7/10
Kindness In Clarity, an EP is out June 9th via self-release.