Windwaker - HYPERVIOLENCE (Album Review)
Windwaker - HYPERVIOLENCE
Released: July 12, 2024
Lineup
Liam Guinane // Vocals
Jesse Crofts // Guitar
Indey Salvestro // Bass
Chris Lalic // Drums and Programming
Connor Robbins // Synths and Samples
Online
Over the past few months, Windwaker has been turning up the dial on their personal identity, blurring out the background noise and instead, projecting an image that is inherently true to themselves to create some of their most passionate, unique, and enticing work to date. These efforts have culminated in the release of their latest album, HYPERVIOLENCE, a dichotomous exploration of self and acceptance, navigating the realms of both confidence and fear, assurance and shyness; the cornerstones of our own condition. Through exciting sounds, inspired songwriting, and a production that radiates the connected energy of the band itself, HYPERVIOLENCE sees Windwaker offer their most raw and experimental work to date.
The album opens with ‘Infinity’. As the soaring sounds gradually force themselves into the foreground, the stage is set for Windwaker’s sonic arrival back into our earwaves. In this fusion of sharp guitars and electronic pulses, a jarring concoction is made, perfectly juxtaposing the entrance of Liam Guinane’s vocals. For this opening track, they adopt a honey-like smoothness, lathered in calmness and delicacy. It is an entrance that captivates, and immediately exposes the multifaceted nature of the band’s vocal abilities. Not just in terms of a song-by-song basis, but within the same track, as Liam descends into a hellish and unstoppable entity. ‘Infinity’, in its own time, constructs an expectation that this album is unpredictable, but more so, creates a basis thematically- already housing these juxtaposing notions of losing oneself and the vicious cycles of feeling.
In typical Windwaker fashion, the construction of HYPERVIOLENCE is a unique one. After diving into introductions, the next section finds listeners revisiting tracks found within the Enter The Wall EP, and the singles scattered throughout this process! The tracklisting is inclusive of ‘SIRENS’, ‘Fractured State Of Mind’, ‘Break The Rules’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Villain’, and ‘Get Out’. While these tracks shone on their own, they transcend into a new state and unlock their full potential within the context of the album. What was most notable regarding the prior releases to HYPERVIOLENCE, was the amount of variance and profound musical diversity within the offerings given. At most times, the tracks would fluctuate between moments of pop prowess, to powerful and impassioned metalcore performances. It was in these moments, that Windwaker served an entree into the experimental nature of their upcoming feast, and the reception was beyond encouraging. It was a moment that all began with ‘SIRENS’, Windwaker’s eclectic anthem of absurdity, presented in the glittery ditz of fun and energetic pop-infused choruses. It ended with ‘Get Out’, a tech-heavy collage of feeling and sound. Every track within and beyond became another pivotal stepping stone within the musical journey, and so too, as they find themselves situated within the body of work, becomes essential tools in the storytelling and worldbuilding of HYPERVIOLENCE as a whole.
There is no segmentation in this album that comes from pre-existing releases, but instead, an exaggerated weight of the songs that exude a comfort we know, and a confidence in their ability. You can read our previous coverage of these songs here!
The next new offering comes in the form of ‘Haunting Me’. Apt to its name, the song is audibly unnerving, with ominous sounds that personify waves of fog rolling in, and a distant ticking clock reminding you of the futility of efforts lingering. Just as the unwavering motions of intensity begin to become an acclimatization, Guinane enters, once again using his well-versed skill of shapeshifting. This track is different, and almost escapes all genres we have previously seen the band circle. It's a stripped-back and somber approach in which the vocals carry an emotional weight in their soaring height and reach. The versatility within this album is something to applaud, and extends to every member. From their restrained to explosive performances, each carries the story upward with a wholehearted sense of sharing the narrative at hand.
Getting groovy, ‘Vertigo’, utilizes a down-and-dirty beat relying on its percussion sounds to set the scene. The energy once again diverts to that of fast-paced insanity, all called to action by one fearsome guttural- following it, a relentless flurry of sounds. But the band’s signature fluctuation comes back into play, seamlessly balancing the two modes of vocal presentation perfectly. If there is one thing I have picked up on within this album, it is Windwaker’s growing confidence, and thus, stylistic choices, within their choruses. On more than one occasion, a first-listen track has held a chorus that feels already implanted, with an immediate catchiness that ceases to leave you for many listeners beyond. This is a testament to the recipe the band has been growing for years, and reflects their shifting songwriting processes, which I was lucky enough to discuss with them in an interview before the release (and you can read it here) ‘Vertigo’ proceeds to house one of my favourite breakdowns of the album, fully armoured by an industrial and robotic soundscape that almost sounds like the Transformers got behind the turntable. It is loud, noisy, and abrupt in all the best ways, and is so intrusively nasty, you can't forget it!
‘Hypnotised’ sees the band test their luck within their current self-label of ‘hyperpop metal’, and lacing it with a trap and hip-hop flair, to extend their amalgamation of sounds that has seen them become a genreless entity within the scene. The track holds a sultry flair, embedding the feelings of intertwinement and fascination into the song as auditorily addictive as they are described within the lyrics. ‘Hypnotised’ remains one of the calmer songs on the album until throwing itself into an aggressive and protective spiral, offering its own excitement through the illusion of no turbulence. From beginning to end, this one is something different and special, and is an ode to the band’s ability to shock, even so far into their discography.
We are now met with what is arguably my favourite song off of HYPERVIOLENCE, titled ‘Venom’. When thinking of Windwaker, the idea of personality becomes an inextricable notion within their identity. Through their songs, interviews, and online content, the band’s close connection radiates, which is characterized by their fun and outgoing nature. ‘Venom’ is perhaps the perfect embodiment of them, an auditory representation of the band themselves. When looking into the album thematically, it can simply be put that this track is a reflection of confidence, self-assurance, and the preservation of one’s own integrity. The track is cheeky and tongue-in-cheek, spewing out lyrics that leave you rewinding, or even lifting a smirk on your face. A chunky, heavy riff guides you through a maze of percussive dings and sharp sounds, a musical soundscape that is unheard of and new. This, of course, is only made more interesting by the dualling vocal styles, switching between a fast rap to murky gutturals. It is within the chorus that these two elements argue for the spotlight, but oddly enough, make a perfect display of the band’s ethos as a whole. HYPERVIOLENCE, in particular, sees Windwaker juggle the elements of heavy and hip in a new way, this time, with the weight leaning in favour of the hip-hop, electronic, and metallic soundscapes. It is now a journey on how to keep metal intertwined and a song like ‘Venom’ displays exactly how they tackle this.
As if the song was not crazy enough, it closes with an anthemic and soulful ballad - just to tick off another musical box!
Next up is ‘Tabula Rasa’! The track in itself is an acknowledgment of the theory that humans are born as a blank canvas; the mind is untainted by the formulation of ideas until outside impressions and perceptions are made, and then conceiving ideas and judgment. When divulging into an album journey through the mind, this becomes an unmissable addition to the story at hand and the themes at play, as well as the songs that have been influenced by the world and soundscape surrounding the band. As the title goes, the song descends into a parable of being influenced, attempting to escape fleeting thoughts, and futile attempts to find serenity in the busy noise of one's mind. I think the most impressive thing about this track is Windwaker proving that a profound song with such a complex idea, situated in real-life ideals, does not have to be a soulful ballad or clean anthem of sombreness and upset, but can still be fun and exciting whilst displaying such themes. Another note that comes to mind is the confidence that has exuded from this album. It’s almost like not enjoying the song is not an option. The persuasiveness and conviction that stems from every layer; instrumentally, vocally, lyrically, and sonically, is beyond intoxicating, and has so far, made HYPERVIOLENCE untouchable.
Closing up the album is ‘Juliet’ which reverts to a stripped-back moment of sincerity, and through its soft vocals and even softer sounds, presents the band at their most earnest yet. As it plays, an echoing playground setting engulfs your ears, reminiscent of youth and rewind. Contextually, the song goes on to slash this innocence, with the reminder that change is necessary, imminent, and inescapable- the future is always ahead. It’s an emotive end to the flurrying narrative that traces through every corner of the chaotic psyche, and for a moment, lets the listener bathe in the moments of peace we still hold dearest. Deep and introspective, ‘Juliet’ clicks the final jigsaw piece into the landscape of HYPERVIOLENCE.
Windwaker’s latest offering sees the band at their most inspired and ignited yet. Every moment is characterized by an insatiable need to lather each song with a feeling, an idea, or a sound that makes it intrinsic with the name, image, and ethos of Windwaker. Artistically, the band has come to full fruition, knowing no bounds, and ceasing to find a genre unexplored and untouched. What prevails the most in HYPERVIOLENCE, is its ability to subtly tell deep and meaningful stories while preserving a high-energy, exciting, and insatiable musical soundscape- balancing their need to tell stories and their platform to entertain. HYPERVIOLENCE is a new wave of individualism, and may, so far, be Windwaker’s magnum opus.
Windwaker – HYPERVIOLENCE tracklisting
1. Infinity
2. SIRENS
3. Fractured State of Mind
4. Break The Rules
5. The Wall
6. Villain
7. Get Out
8. Haunting Me
9. Vertigo
10. Hypnotised
11. Venom
12. Tabula Rasa
13. Juliet
Rating: 9/10
HYPERVIOLENCE is out July 12th via Cooking Vinyl Australia and Fearless Records. Get it hereWords by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002
