The Predatory Wasp
The Antlers first release of the year is perhaps their gentlest, dreamiest song to date. Unveiled this week alongside the announcement of an NYC show, there are no hints about a forthcoming album – and as this sounds like it could have easily been recorded for 2021’s Green To Gold that seems unlikely – but it’s still very nice to have new music from arguably my favourite band of the last decade.
I love The Antler’s 2014 album Familiars a quite ridiculous amount. It’s probably in my top 5 all time, definitely top 10, so to say I was hyped for the new LP Green to Gold was somewhat of an understatement. After a few listens, I’m sure of at least one thing: the title track is one of the loveliest things they’ve ever recorded. Rolling along on hushed drums, softly twanging guitars and with Peter Silberman’s extraordinary vocal providing the backbone, it’s a lazy, sun-drenched, perfect afternoon at the beach/park/wherever distilled into song form, which, despite being more than seven minutes long, could easily hang around all fucking day and be more than welcome company.
In 2014 The Antlers released what would become easily one of my favourite albums of all time, the incredible, haunting Palace. Since then they haven’t released a single track and were rumoured to have broken up, with Peter Silberman going on to release a solo album in 2017. Now, following last year’s 10 year anniversary tour of their breakthrough album Hospice they’re back with a new single, Wheels Roll Home. I only hope that this signals more new material from the band, as fuck knows we could all do with it. Welcome back boys – you have been missed.
The Predatory Wasp 