"Wildfire" by Project Overload
Review
You are going to so love the subject of today's article: I'm speaking from my experience having already sampled the new Project Overload single "Wildfire" which comes out on Friday.
Actually you probably know & love it yourself already as it's been in their live set for a while now. I remember the first time that I heard it, I remarked to Tom that it sounded apt for a single release but such are the riches amongst the new material they've been recording with Mason Le Long at Studio Subw?f for their second album that he was equivocal at that point as to whether it would be. I'm glad that after plenty of reflection that they've gone with it as it really does represent the band at the current pinnacle of their powers (though naturally their potential indicates that this bar is only going to rise over the years).
As the follow up to "Silhouettes", it could not be more different: in fact that seems wholly deliberate on their part. Not only is indicating your range no bad thing for a band making their way into a wider and wider context, but in some ways the songs form a pair of contrasting emotions. It's great that they played both live on RawSound TV to demonstrate their versatility to the world.
The Valentine's Day release was definitely the atypical one for the band: an "evocation of romance springing into life" appropriate to the day it came out, "Wildfire" provides if not a corrective then at least a contrasting perspective of what happens when things turn sour.
Prefab Sprout of course sang compellingly of "When Love Breaks Down" as do Project Overload here but the former skirted feelings of rage & being used unlike the latter. Those sharp elbows, furled for the last single are redeployed here as Emily unleashes "an explosion of fury I can't suppress". It's made especially effective because her onstage persona has been established as one of cool, calm control. Now we learn that this is not a woman to be crossed. Her rage is visceral. Even the official press release talks of being "ready to fight".
However again, the power does not come from incoherent shouty anger: as with Izzie Derry and her stiletto sharp "If They Knew What You Did", counterpointing lyrics with a honed arrangement sharpens the blade. Project Overload's instrumentalists Tom, Lucas, Callum & Joe run a very tight ship and this keeps the focus of "Wildfire" laser accurate.
What distinguishes their own contribution to the song from previous performances though is the ferocity of the playing: not a word I've yet needed to use about them. Something adrenalised the performance you will hear as it goes even beyond the live version in my opinion: a most unusual way round & hats off to the band and Mason for capturing the mood of the song as well as the notes & words.
There are plenty of analogies to previous bands amongst the reviews they've been enjoying: to me "Wildfire" reminds me the edgy and provocative New Wave bands such as Blondie (circa ‘Plastic Letters') or The Attractions (circa ‘This Year's Model'): melodic yet with attitude to spare. Comparisons are odious but since Emily doesn't sing like Debbie Harry let alone Elvis Costello and since Project Overload don't feature prominent keyboards like those two bands, I think the analogy holds up in respect of the attributes I've just mentioned.
"Wildfire" (and songs like it if such characterises the album) ought to kickstart audiences into even wilder behaviour than I've seen so far at their gigs and I look forwards to seeing that development. I also anticipate plenty of "Project Overload's best one to date" type reviews & just hope I get in first with that one.
They've been in our ears & hearts for a while: now they are right in our faces too.
You can experience Project Overload live & locally on Saturday 5th July at Godiva Festival (stage time 1430) & supporting Batsch for their album launch at The Tin on July 11th.
