Wilson's Unapologetic 'Right To Rise' Is Massive

The name ‘Wilson’ is probably the plainest, least emotive band name in the world, which is why you’ve got no idea what to expect from them.

The first three seconds of the band’s second album may give you a good idea – it kicks straight into a huge riff that’s guaranteed to get your neck warmed up for the rest of album, before the main verse allows the listener to take in all of Chad’s big, dirty voice. The suitably catchy chorus of this title track takes over in true Wilson style; one that’s definitely gonna have you singing. These are all common themes of the album, and of the band in general. Big riffs. Big choruses. Big voice.

Wilson’s first album was called ‘Full Blast Fuckery’. With song titles such as “I Can Beat Your Dad”, “If You Ever Leave Me I Will Find You” and “Viking Pussies Fuck Off”, the album was actually a solid piece of work that points to a bunch of mates who don’t take things too seriously.

That’s the first thing I noticed during my initial listen of ‘Right to Rise’. There’s no ridiculous song titles. On top of that, the first three tracks sound completely serious and honestly, it was ever so slightly disappointing. Then I heard “What’s up ween-bags” and “here comes that sweet fuckery sound” – the spoken word intro to “Windows Down!” which quickly restored my faith.

Straight off of tours with Halestorm and Nothing More, this feels like the point where Wilson have realised that they can actually do really well, so they’ve started to take things a little more seriously (aside from Windows Down!). That’s absolutely fine though, because it’s very much still a Wilson album, and they’ve clearly maintained the straight-up, hold-nothing-back lyrical style that stirred much discussion previously, whilst adopting a cleaner and more focused sound.

An album jam-packed with riffs and breakdowns, guaranteed to get your head banging and your fist pumping, ‘Right To Rise’ is a great first attempt at serious business by a band who spend the better part of this decade fucking about.

To find out more about Wilson, click here.

To visit the band’s Facebook page, click here.

Words by Blaine Marshall.

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