Whoa Melodic - Whoa Melodic (2019) [Hi-Res]

Whoa Melodic (aka Michael Wood) announces his eponymous debut album, due out on 1 February via wiaiwya. With an extraordinary knack of conjuring a memorable tune, Wood has created a dazzling and unbelievably catchy indie pop delight.

Michael Wood usually shares his multi-instrumentalist talents with various bands including Singing Adams/Steven Adams & The French Drops and The Hayman Kupa Band (with Darren Hayman of Hefner and Emma Kupa of Standard Fare/Mammoth Penguins).

With an unnatural obsession with Paul McCartney, Wood’s record also has echoes of Teenage Fanclub, Squeeze, World Party and Elliott Smith. Melody is key yet his lyrics tend reflect what is going on in his life. Having taken a lot of comfort and help from other people’s music, much of this record is trying to give that back in the hope that this album would offer the same for others.

The lush, layered arrangements were created entirely by himself in his home studio, which moved from the spare bedroom to the under stairs cupboard – yet the ambition in this record is anything but lo-fi.

Whoa Melodic’s eponymous debut long player is a loving hug of an album, a favourite cosy cardigan on a chilly day, ten tunes made for milkmen to whistle. It’s nostalgic, tune drenched and reassuring.