The easiest thing Basement could have done after eight years away was make another Colourmeinkindness. Instead of chasing nostalgia and recreating their past sound, they’ve come back with WIRED, their first studio album since 2018. It definitely still sounds like Basement, but entirely different at the same time- it’s sharper, more self-assured and serves as a hard reset.
After taking some time away to rediscover both themselves and their sound, Basement are in a healthy place and WIRED is evidence of that. There’s a restless energy to it- it’s grungy and a little rough around the edges with a garage-band rawness that gives every track a really authentic feel. Nothing sounds overworked or too polished, thanks to the work of producer John Congleton, and this pays off massively.
“Time Waster” starts it off with some studio ambience before building up into the perfect opening track. It sets a sharp momentum that is carried throughout the record and is an absolute standout, setting the bar high for what’s to come.
The singles are definitely the most attention-grabbing moments on the record, but what makes WIRED feel so strong is how consistent it is from front to back. This was apparent from the very first listen, with each track just feeling so distinct yet cohesive. “Satisfy” is another highlight- this one leans slightly into Brit-pop territory and is a really fun track.
Closing track “Summer’s End” stands out among the non-singles as well, ticking all the boxes for a perfect closing track- it’s long without dragging, it stands on its own outside of the context of being a closing track, and it feels like the biggest track on the album. The repeated line, “I know you hear me now”, hits like a final plea into the void. It’s not overly dramatic but offers a bit of a cinematic experience.
Overall, the band sounds tighter, more confident and completely locked in. This progression is probably the most impressive thing about WIRED. You can definitely hear how much Basement have grown without it feeling too calculated. It’s definitely an intentional reinvention, but also a natural evolution. The vocals in particular stand out to me- they’re fantastic across the album and lead singer Andrew Fisher delivers them in a way that suits the mood of each track perfectly, with some moments feeling soft and vulnerable and others hitting with desperate intensity.
The instrumentation deserves just as much credit, with everything feeling incredibly tight without losing the roughness that gives the album so much character. There’s also a lot of space in these songs- it’s not just a big mess of loud noise, they allow room to breathe instead of suffocating under layers of unnecessary gloss.
What really stuck with me after the first listen, though, was the emotional weight of WIRED. Reviewing music constantly can make records blur together quickly, especially within genres that already feel overcrowded. WIRED, however, stopped me in my tracks and really caught me, immediately making me feel something.
WIRED is a fantastic album from start to finish. Basement are back, revitalised, locked-in and more emotionally resonant than they’ve ever been. It captures everything that’s always made them unique but pushes their sound into new territory naturally and confidently. After a long break from the studio, they could have played it safe, but WIRED is the perfect album to prove that taking risks can pay off.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
WIRED from Basement is out now. Listen to and/or purchase it HERE.
Header image credit: Adam Powell
