The wait is over, and the noise is here. West Wickhams, the self-proclaimed “psychedelique Noir Deux piece,” have just dropped “Sakura,” a five-track firecracker of an EP that’s as intellectually sharp as it is raw. A limited edition CD EP with a unique Obi strip? In 2025? That’s chivalry right there, a middle finger to the streaming age that demands you hold the art in your hands.
The band, the imagined rival gang to the punk style icons the Bromley Contingent, is the duo of Jon Othello and Elle Flores. Hailing from the island of lost souls, Tresco, and now causing a ruckus in Richmond, these two aren’t only making music; they’re building mythology. “Sakura” is their lo-fi post-punk bedroom synth-pop dreamscape, and it’s a vibe that grabs you for its entire 13-minute, 47-second runtime.
Let’s get into the meat of it. The EP kicks off with “Up to the Old Tricks,” and the title says it all. It’s a track that immediately establishes the West Wickhams signature: a driving, post-punk bassline, tangled with synths that feel both eerie and euphoric. It’s dark, it’s catchy, and the video for it is a must-see, with two ladies on a dream-like adventure, a perfect visual companion to their aesthetic. This one-two punch continues with “Ice Block,” a track that feels like its namesake—cool, sharp, and unyielding.
“As the Camera Shuts” slows the pace but amplifies the atmosphere. This is where the “noir” part of their description truly bleeds through. You can almost feel the mist from their autumnal influences rolling in. Then, just as you’re sinking into the gloom, “EQ The Viper” strikes. They close the show with “Save Yourselves,” a final, frantic transmission that leaves you breathless and immediately hitting replay.
But what the hell is this all about? West Wickhams aren’t just throwing cool words around. The title “Sakura” is a direct nod to the Japanese concept of Mono no Aware—the pathos of things, the deep sensitivity to the fleeting nature of life. Cherry blossoms are beautiful for a heartbeat, then they’re gone. And that’s the soul of this EP. This music is their cherry blossom: a short, intense, and beautiful burst of creation that acknowledges the darkness and decay lurking just beneath the surface. It’s rock philosophy, man.
“Sakura” is a triumph. It’s the sound of two lost souls from a subtropical island of shipwrecks creating a perfect, ephemeral piece of art. It’s a partnership forged in a shared love of castles, optical illusions, and rock n’ roll autobiographies, for Christ’s sake. How can you not be intrigued? Get the limited edition CD before it’s gone forever—just like a cherry blossom. Initial orders even get random gifts like mugs and signed postcards.
West Wickhams have not only arrived; they’ve kicked the door in. “Sakura” is a near-perfect slice of intelligent, atmospheric rock that burns bright and fast. Don’t you dare sleep on this.