Lofty Reviews: windings – Be Honest and Fear Not

Lofty reviews the highly acclaimed new album from windings, ‘Be Honest and Fear Not’

With only their split album Land Lovers to keep us sated over the past few years, it’s with much anticipation that the latest long player from Limerick’s windings is finally released. Thankfully it does not disappoint.

‘Be Honest and Fear Not’ sees windings displaying their entire range of musical talents with a variety of approaches taken on an album that may only be eight tracks long but doesn’t leave you feeling any bit short changed.

There’s everything on show here from a two minute punk anthem to a speeding sonic instrumental (be careful when driving if listening to that one), there’s even a bitter sweet duet to perfectly close out proceedings.

The album kicks off in fine style with the epic ‘Ambivalence Blues’ spanning over seven sumptuous minutes before we get the Giveamanakick-esque bombshell that is ‘Boring’. These opening two tracks not only superbly showcases the range of styles that the band employs but also the cleverness of lyric that frontman Steve Ryan possesses.

He has admitted that ‘Be Honest and Fear Not’ is an opportunity for him to address his frustrations and vexations with himself and the world and he is brilliantly acerbic, amusing and challenging over the course of an album where at one stage he declares that “every note is an apology, every word is a regret”.

That particular lyric comes from “You’re Dead” one of the highlights on the album which is anchored by an absolutely delicious bass line that will be circling your brain for many days after hearing it, and believe me it’s an ear-worm you’ll enjoy hearing time and time again. 

And that could well sum up the entire album which rewards on every listen. Arranged and recorded so that windings can seamlessly bring the album to life in the live arena, I look forward to catching them on tour and witnessing ‘Be Honest and Fear Not’ in all it’s glory.

‘Be Honest and Fear Not’ is out now via Out on a Limb Records and windings.bandcamp.com

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