Album Review: Mallory Knox – ‘Wired’

Since forming in 2009 Mallory Knox have released two albums, played numerous festival slots across the UK, including Reading and Leeds, and, performed at BBC Maida Vale studios. The band have just stormed back onto the scene with the release of their third album ‘Wired’ that is currently sitting at number one on the UK rock album charts. ‘Wired’ sees a shift in direction from the band’s second record ‘Asymmetry’, the album spans eleven songs and touches on the subjects of love, lust, religion, family and mental health.

Opening with lead single ‘Giving It Up’ sets the record off to a fast-paced start as vocalist, Mikey Chapman, drives the verses with a series of powerful high-notes before crashing into a hard-hitting chorus making for a great album opener.

The band shed a more light-hearted tone on the record with ‘California’, with a pop-rock sensibility, led by a colourful guitar melody and a sunny chorus that’s guaranteed to get a crowd dancing. Track five ‘Midnight’ also rectifies the tone with a bouncy guitar rhythm and what could easily be the catchiest chorus the record has to offer.

‘For You’ sees the album slow down as Chapman delivers a letter of confessions and apologies as he weaves the story of struggles with mental health, a portion of the album’s songs were derived from bassist/vocalist Sam Douglas’ personal struggle with anxiety. Douglas has previously described the track as ‘a love song without having to say ‘I love you’. With simple instrumentation and a delightful vocal melody ‘For You’ is bound to become a fan-favourite.

‘Better Off Without You’ follows in the same vein as track four, the song details Douglas confronting his feelings towards seeing doctors and being prescribed medication. Speaking of the song Douglas’ described it as being ‘born out of (that) frustration’ and that frustration is clear as soon as the song kicks in with an aggressive instrumental as Chapman delivers the lyrics ‘You’ve got it all wrong, you think I’m indestructible’.

Track seven, ‘Falling in Love’ shifts in dynamics with nothing but a palm-muted guitar rhythm supporting the vocal melody for the first minute and a half, with a pre-chorus that shows of Chapman’s lyricism as he sings ‘I lit a match to let the light in but the demons tried to sneak in’ followed by a chorus hook that simply states ‘I kept on falling in love’. At the two minute mark the song bursts into life with a full band instrumental crashing in which gives the chorus a huge increase in impact.

‘Lucky Me’ and ‘Saviour’ jump right back into the fast-pace shown throughout the majority of the album. ‘Lucky Me’ is a solid guitar riff driven track while ‘Saviour’ demonstrates a highlight for the rhythm section as it powers the verses on before an epic chorus commences with Chapman displaying just how powerful his voice can be.

Closing track ‘Mother’ ends the album on a high. A heartfelt uplifting song that serves as a message from the band members to their parents, similar to You Me At Six track ‘When We Were Younger’ which, incidentally, was also the closing track on their third album ‘Sinners Never Sleep’. Featuring a chorus full of gang vocals and soaring guitar melodies ‘Mother’ is a triumphant ending to a brilliant record.

With the release of ‘Wired’ it’s clear that Mallory Knox have delved head-first into a new vision and are back with something to prove and with an exceptionally strong record full of risk-takes they couldn’t have started this new chapter any better.