Somehow I managed to miss the release of Cabin Fever (Recorded in a Garage); this greatly frustrates me…
Clearly I’ve spent far too long with my head being battered by the interminable stampede of promo albums in search of new noise, to pay any diligence to the old and faithful names already ensconced within my playlists. I guess, then, this piece serves as a bit of an apology. I would have sent flowers but I’m not sure they’d enjoy having to be disinfected – maybe I should ask Trump, who seems to knows loads about that sort of thing.
Anyway, now that belittling the US president is out of the way, this is a track review and review the track I shall. Cabin Fever is a welcome breath of not-so-fresh air. While the charts remain purified with the uplifting anthems of Captain Tom Moore’s hit single and the rather wholesome Foo Fighters cover; Reignwolf has come to throw a cat (wolf) amongst the pigeons (I’m not really sure what wolves eat). I’m by no means at odds with the aforementioned examples of camaraderie within the chart toppers, if anything it’s nice to see the Foo get some proper recognition, but it’s somewhat satisfying and a great deal more relatable to hear the depiction of someone losing their proverbial shit in isolation.
As you might expect, the meaning behind Cabin Fever (Recorded in a Garage) is self-evident in both its heading and accompanying parenthesis (thanks, A-Level English). Leader of the pack, Jordan Cook, cries in an eroding state as he tries to “Wait for tomorrow to be yesterday” and unnervingly recounts what could easily be a state provided warning in: “Close your eyes, stay inside, try and picture a rainbow”. With gritty lyricism comes gritty instrumental. Captured on an old-school four-tape recorder, we’re brought into Cook’s world with the fumbling of metal, hair clippers buzzing and garage door grinding itself open before the blown out cacophony of drums charges in.
From then on it’s typical Reignwolf but with more stagelight given to the ‘garage’ in garage rock. Skittish drum beats, harsh riffing and Cook’s vocals that glide between gnarled abrasion and intimate highs reminiscent of Muse’s Matt Bellamy; Cabin Fever manifests Reignwolf’s sound with renewed belligerence.
I found myself happily entranced until the solo. Good God. If a first-generation Pokémon had a stroke, perhaps this is what it would sound like. I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed with garage rock scripture, but if that’s a main tenet then you can call off the missionaries – they’d have a better time knocking on Richard Dawkins’ door.
Religious metaphors aside, Cabin Fever is simply another reason to love Reignwolf. I may be days late to the party, but this party’s fire is still very much burning and the night remains young. I’ve also brought party rings, if anyone wants some?
Cabin Fever (Recorded in a Garage) will be available on all streaming platforms on Friday 8 May.
Rating: 7/10
By Alex Mace
Feature Image Credit: Steve Thrasher