Review - We Are Z - Animal

We had the pleasure of interviewing We Are Z recently ahead of their release of single 'Goldigaz' and also got to see them performing live last week supporting Detroit rockers Electric Six, the set from the French band an eclectic mix of hooks, open shirts and Cecil the Lion masks. At the gig we also managed to grab a copy of their debut album.

'Animal' is an eccentric album but it's packed with variety and hooks a plenty and it's certainly an album you won't get bored with. Short instrumental opener 'The Jungle Beasts Are Fast Asleep' with a strong choral, wintery feel bleeds into first track proper 'Walkaway', a Kaiser Chiefs-esque pop number with a strong beat and foot-tapping rhythm. Though the chorus may be pretty simple there's something quickly catchy about the track thanks to its bass riff and driving forward style, with a throwback 80s vibe. The third track - 'Metropolis' - is a ballsy, pop-rock number with a fun falsetto vibe to the chorus and a catchy vibe to the lyrical bridge, like Freddie Mercury meets Franz Ferdinand.

'Knucklehead' is a less distinctive track compared to the others but still has fun rock vibe, whilst the rhyming titled 'The Girl With the Scar in the Land of the Tsar' is a short, stripped-back number which feels more like a poem set to music.

'Easy' has a great rhythm to it and a funky, well produced rhythm with some top synth action, making more quite an ethereal experience.

'Fadeaway', bringing the album up to its half-way point, is the next big number on the record and feels like a future single. With a hooky guitar riff, quickly building vocal pattern and a big chorus that mixes the Police with Franz Ferdinand, this is a big favourite of mine.

As if to prove most conventions wrong where albums tend to start off great and front load their tracks, 'Animal' appears to be the opposite. 'Falling' is one of the best on the album, with a simple but memorable chorus and a funky vibe and faster-sections that create a really radio-friendly number. 

'Glorious Moon', a piano-led interlude, like track five, feels like a little break but is well done, whilst the title track is the first of four big hitters. 'A.N.I.M.A.L.' with its bass-heavy opening, Red Hot Chilli Peppers-like lyrical delivery and catchy vocal hook, is superb and is surely a future single. Lead single 'Goldigaz' is the best track on the album, it's opening 'La-la-la' riff immediately grabbing you. Throw in a catchy bridge and chorus and it's pop-rock vibe proves to be a winner. 'Airbrush' continues the powerful showing at the end the record, its Queen-like rhythm and breakdowns adding to the moment.

'I Like It', a favourite from their live show, completes the quartet of highlights on the album,the repetition of the title and the musical backing making for a great little pop-rock number. The album then concludes with short number 'Almost There' which ties things up in a quick, enigmatic way.

We Are Z's 'Animal' is one of the best albums I've heard this year with many standout tracks that feel like singles, with a range of interesting lyrical hooks, music choices and something different appearing every track. 'Animal' is definitely worth a listen. (7.5/10)