Review: Wildernesses ‘Growth’
If ever there was a band you should latch on to immediately, one that references the cult classic The X-Files of all things in one of its songs, then it’s Wildernesses. Not only are they the loveliest guys in person, and an incredible entity live, they have put together one of the most wonderfully understated yet brilliant albums of 2026.
Yes, I may be a little biased, but after catching them last summer in Ramsgate Music Hall, I have been patiently waiting with bated breath for this release. Initially teasing us with a couple of tracks, they’ve now delivered their debut album, Growth, and what a real triumph it is.
Over the course of the nine tracks, it is easy to get carried away with the beauty of their music; it’s a ton of alt-rock, a little shoegaze mixed with post-rock, and a huge dose of emotion, which, if you let it, will permeate your soul and melt your heart.
There’s nothing but brutal honesty in the music, and themes of love, trauma, and resilience over the human experience make for a captivating listen which is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. As for the band themselves, let me provide a little context before we forge ahead with the music and introduce these four incredible humans.
Enigmatic frontman Phillip Morris and drummer Ryan Browne formed the initial catalyst for the project with help from a friend known only as Jonathan. Shortly after Mark Portnoi joined on bass, and guitarist Sam Howe completed the unit in 2025.
Since then, they have worked tirelessly to create a richly textured sonic landscape which has quickly gained ground and evolved into something truly wondrous. They are now releasing their debut via Floodlit Recordings, and trust me, if you only pick up a couple of albums this year, make sure this is one of them.
a captivating listen which is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking…
Growth is nine movements of lovingly crafted intensity that will leave you transfixed by its underplayed modesty, right from the opening moments of Sleepless to the dying moments of Summertime, 1917. As a ‘long-time fan’, I’m already well versed with several of the tracks, but even now, I’m still taken aback every time I hear them. Four Hour Driveand English Darkness surfaced last year – becoming instant favourites by the time I saw them support A Burial At Sea – while Maintenance dropped more recently to whet our appetites.
The thing is, it is impossible to highlight specific elements or moments, because the whole package is so beautifully crafted. Add to that some solid design choices of the artwork, handcrafted by Morris too, this becomes a very personal release indeed.
Wildernesses also manage to create a sound which is so uniquely their own, it’s nye on impossible to compare them to anyone else. There’s a sound which is so warm and rich, yet apocalyptically melancholy that it will leave you tearful, yet joyfully sombre at the same time. This is particularly evident on tracks such as the aforementioned English Darkness, where the restrained poetry in the storytelling is accompanied by a soundtrack that is equally dense in its outpouring. Each element manages to hold back on pushing forward, building on the experience, and over the course of its almost seven minutes, the sorrow is epically poignant.
By contrast, Four Hour Drive is a pacy piece. It has a vibrant alt-rock feel to it, and as it drives along, this is one of the moments of unadulterated joy, interlaced with catchy anthemic interludes. It’s easy to see from tracks such as this why they have quickly become so well-loved by their audience. And that’s the marvel of the four-piece: their ability to never rest on their laurels, and in doing so, nothing is ever the same.
Sleepless flits between a pattern of sombre and moody, and heavier indie shoegaze. [dread] is a faster-paced and vibrant piece. Heavier in sound from midway, this time it nudges towards a retro ‘80s sound too. Even the closer Summertime, 1917 throws up one last chance to surprise. It neatly ties up the package with an eloquent post-rock send-off, solidifying their versatility.
I can’t say enough great things about this fantastic album by a real treasure. I hope after reading this, you will go out and experience Wildernesses for yourselves, as both you and them deserve it.
Label: Floodlit Recordings
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
