You ever get an advance for one of your most anticipated releases months in advance, make a boatload of nonsensical observations initially, move onto the next shiny thing in the moment, then have an “OH shit!” moment when you realize that record you’ve had for some time is about to actually arrive??? Us neither. But kind of. The album that would come to be called I’ll fill your house with an army from Death Pop duo VOWWS has been popping up on our “Most Anticipated” list since, checks notes, 2023?!?! And finally getting to hear it fully realized and we’ve gotta say: It was definitely worth the wait!
Our previous round of notes back in May when we initially received the new record includes lots of expletives pertaining to the Foo Fighters sacking Josh Freese (Who has since rejoined Nine Inch Nails and, relevant to this piece, pops up on many a Ifyhwaa track) and lots of chatter about how underrated VOWWS is and how there’s a reason they’re your favorite band’s favorite band. But we’re going to forsake all that and just talk about how truly magnificent a record I’ll fill your house with an army is.
“Blood’s on fire” starts things off here and it’s classic VOWWS through and through with a bombastic rush of noise to fill up all the spaces immediately as “SHUDDER” comes in hot with a spooky presence and those gorgeous Rizz and Matt Campbell vocal harmonies on top of some guest spots from the aforementioned Freese as well as Venera’s own James “Munky” Schaffer (Also of some band called “Korn” apparently?). “Silhouette” is a mover with a steady low end and lead Campbell vocal before Rizz’s uncanny voice chimes in, moves together with Campbell’s, and delivers another hypnotic VOWWS crusher while “Hurt You” could easily fit in anywhere within Under The World but here in Ifyhwaa comes off like connecting with an old friend after a time without skipping a beat.
VOWWS continue their sonic evolution on Ifyhwaa as well with tracks like “Re-Animator” heavily incorporating more Pop elements which seamlessly mesh with the synthetic worlds that Rizz elegantly crafts regularly as “Casualty” is filled with an ominous aura before “Harder To Pretend” lightens the mood ever so slightly with a haunting groove-filled romp tempered by punctuated beats, airy acoustic licks and Campbell’s badass baritone.
“I Never Left” begins the final trek towards the inevitable end, taking the mood down considerably with a slow stomp and tender Rizz vocal lines followed by “One Short” which pulsates and swells in conjunction with Rizz’s delicate melodies. Shimmering out of all that is “Waterline” and an ending befitting the reigning queen and king of Death Pop as a minute plus build precedes echoed syncopated beats and Rizz’s lush voice that transforms into a spellbinding harmonious hum once Campbell joins the march to Ifyhwaa‘s logical conclusion.
I’ll fill your house with an army is out now from Out Of Line and you can get yer own copy now by heading here. For more from VOWWS, including all the info on the just announced headline European shows, head to their socials located here or here.