Album Snapshot: Warm Brains 'Big Wow'

Image: Warm Brains 

When Rory Atwell aka Warm Brains isn't immersing himself in a giant portion of egg and chips (quite literally) or slinging fish at his local fishmongers, he's working on chart voyaging records from the likes of Palma Violets, Yuck and The Vaccines. 

In fact, we're quite surprised he hasn't self-combusted; in between all of that, the former Test Icicles, Kasms, RAT:ATT:AGG figure has been working the grill of his own project Warm Brains, a loosely indie-pop project that has the tendency to jerk down other sprightly and alluring avenues. 

His latest LP Big Wow released via Milk Milk Lemonade Records, follows up his 2011 effort Old Volcanoes. And while there's no questioning the four year gap, a lot has gone on in the world in that time, and Rory certainly puts some of those issues down to rights. 

The records satirical life musings that scale London gentrification to the perils of capitalism cut captivatingly with its melodic lo-fi deliverance that hits home with the quirkiness of its genre hopping outlay. We really dig this record, and we think you will too. 

What does Big Wow represent? 

Hmm, I guess it represents the ridiculousness and absurdity of life. In a good way.

Where does it stand musically? 

That’s hard to say. Sometimes I think I’m making pop-y indie music, and other times I think it’s quite difficult and experimental. Probably a bit of both, there’s a lot going on this record, stylistically and delivery-wise. I’d like to think that it’s pretty good value for money! 

Where was the album recorded? 

It was mostly recorded at the studio I work out of, Lightship95, which is a massive red Lightship docked near the o2. It was originally a fully operational lightship that was anchored in the north sea to ward sailors off the rocks.

Some of it was recorded at my old studio Pallet, which I shared with Tom Vek. They demolished that place to build a block of swanky flats though. That’s what the album track ‘I Pedal Faster’ is about. 

Pick out a lyric from the album and why? 

“Expect to ascend an apex of accomplishment, I haven’t time for, I’ve got no time for”

It’s about how these days everyone seems to be expected to achieve insurmountable goals and to feel frustrated when you don’t make it to the top of the pile.

The lyric is about acknowledging that this way of being really isn’t important and is more likely a distraction from doing something more worthwhile and rewarding. 

What’s your favourite song to perform live? 

‘Now That I’m Boring’, it’s quite a straight forward punk track, it’s fun to play, fun to sing and fun to improvise at the end.

Tell us something we wouldn't know about the album? 

I fried the chips myself, it took ages but they were delicious.

Thanks Rory! 

">Warm Brains - Big Wow was released Friday 6th November via Milk Milk Lemonade Records

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