Themes of self-destruction and numbness riddle the tune, set against a background of a slowcore melody that adds a haunting effect. It is an instant reminder of songs such as ‘im slowly dying inside’ by death by falling and ‘Stars Will Fall’ by Duster, with similar bleak lyricism and painfully strung guitar.
Current Joys’ return comes after a period of what Rattigan calls "years of self-destruction". The track follows the leading single ‘HOLE’. The transition between the two is stark: ‘WILDFIRE’ has a minimal feeling of hope.
For example, in the music video, sitting in a chair while walls burn around him, he only grasps for the outside in the final seconds. It’s a mirror of the despondency that Rattigan expresses in the lyrics: “I’m still addicted to the wild / I wish I could try”.
The final minute includes ecclesiastical background vocals to make the single even more haunting and sorrowful. Overall, the Surf Curse drummer demonstrates his growing expertise in translating his emotions into a piece of art. ‘WILDFIRE’ is just another example of the continuing growth that Current Joys goes through with every new project.
Current Joys’ new album ‘ROSEBUD’ comes out on the 6th of November through his independent label, They Are Evil.
Molly Beairsto
Image: 'WILDFIRE' Official Single Cover
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