Following up on their title-track ‘Hitchhiker’, from their upcoming EP, the North London trio Wyldest return with ‘-45’. Within the first few moments, icy guitars (courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Mariin Kallikorm) spike through the winter-like silence of the song’s gentle opening. This sonic drama proceeds to build further with lively, anthemic drums and cymbal flourishes, from percussionist Jack Gooderham. At the core of this frostbitten soundscape sits Zoe Mead and her earnest lyricism: “This loneliness is making me high / this darkness, I’m taking my time.” The reason for all our meteorological remarks isn’t simply a tool to describe the grandeur of Wyldest’s new single ‘-45’, but it’s also an indicator of how this glacial indie-pop song came into being. As frontwoman Mead explains, “-45 was written in the dead of winter at the beginning of this year. It’s about being secluded, away from human contact and technology, which could sometimes make a person fearful of where their own mind could take them without everyday distractions.” She goes on to point out that “the song concludes with the realisation that solitude can actually lead to self-discovery and make you happier in the long-run.” It’s the liberating self-awareness poured into this track that makes it such an affective listen and a great addition to the Hitchhiker EP, due out September 29th via Hand In Hive. - HT