London’s Was A Wolf has released “Slow Secret,” a six-string-driven instrumental beast that marries raw indie grit with kaleidoscopic electronic textures. This is not any ordinary background music but a full journey through foggy alleyways and neon-lit skies, tailor-made for those who crave rock’s edge without sacrificing Dream Pop’s hypnotic allure.
The track kicks off with something that’s pure swagger, with the ghostly echo of The Edge (U2) and the wiry tension of Will Sergeant (Echo & the Bunnymen). But Was A Wolf isn’t here to regurgitate nostalgia. The guitar work—refined over years—serves as the backbone, while glitchy synths and pulsing beats (courtesy of a collab with Downtempo maestro Burdy) catapult the sound into the 21st century. This is Post-Rock with a cyborg heartbeat, Shoe Gaze dipped in liquid nitrogen.
Relocating to London clearly lit a fire under the artist. The city’s restless energy bleeds into the track’s DNA, as layers of distorted chords and ethereal pads collide like subway trains at midnight. The first half of “Slow Secret” simmers with broodiness, all minor-key melodies and shadowy atmospherics. But don’t get too comfortable—the back half detonates into a euphoric crescendo, swapping brooding for bravado. Was A Wolf reels up the distortion, letting the guitars scream like a revved engine while electronic glitches skitter like broken machinery. It’s the sound of a solo artist in total command, bending genres like a blacksmith forging a new weapon.
What’s striking is how cinematic it feels without a single lyric. The track doesn’t just hint at emotion—it grabs you by the neck. The shift from moody self-examination to fist-pumping ecstasy isn’t just clever structuring; it’s a masterclass in tension-and-release, a vibe shift that’d make Charlie Burchill (Simple Minds) nod in approval.
“Slow Secret” isn’t here to whisper—it’s here to roar. Whether you’re a Post-Rock purist, a Dream Pop daydreamer, or just someone who needs a soundtrack for late-night drives, Was A Wolf delivers something that’s brainy and brawny. Heck, let the guitars sear your eardrums, and thank the rock gods that instrumental music still has teeth. Turn it up. Let it bleed.