The Wow Signal are a UK based quartet led by American singer / songwriter/ guitarist Andrew Mangold, who have presumably taken their name from the mysterious, one-off radio signal detected in the 70’s suspected to have extraterrestrial origins. With a growing portfolio of praise-worthy press for debut Infinity’s Lobby, this noisy foursome have already got one snaking hip and cowboy-booted foot through the door. The hallowed names of Bowie, Iggy and even Tom Waits have been evoked to describe their husky hard rock and in particular Mangold’s smoky vocals. Helmed by established producer Marc Waterman (Elastica, Ash, Depeche Mode), the album pulses with epic solos and thick, tremolo-tinged chords. And whilst it’s certainly traditional in its distinctive emulation of 70s rock, their mean blues and talent for dark-glam swagger are obvious. Standout tracks include the frenetic title track and the dark, punk of ‘The Other Half Of Myself’.

Charlotte Richardson Andrews