Single Review: Wintergreen - Framed

Formed in Manchester back in 2013, Wintergreen haven’t had the usual trajectory of an up-and-coming band. The trio - Michael (lead vocals), Grant (drums) and Peter aka Muggsy (bass) - have taken different paths before they collectively formed Wintergreen. Mike and Muggsy have been friends since childhood and were members of the band Grifter in the late 1990s, while Grant was previously the drummer in The Underclass and Candour. With their fourth album Framed, you can hear how the decades of musical experience have culminated in a band brimming with an effortless confidence.

Opener ‘Liquid Gold’ is a stomping, riotous introduction to the band for new listeners, with the marching drumbeat setting the tone for the anthemic sound of the album as a whole. ‘Don’t Bring My World Down’ is similarly captivating, with it’s enchantingly simple chorus juxtaposing nicely with the almost hip-hop inspired drumbeat – creating a sound that feels familiar while keeping the listener hooked. While the first act of the album feels very Britpop inspired, with huge choruses, hypnotic melodies and a universal relatability – ‘Everybody’s Got One Riot In Them’ takes the album in a different direction. The song retains the same sense of rebellion as the previous tracks but the overpowering guitar riffs and socio-political sentiment feels almost Springsteen-esque.

‘The New Normal’ is as topical as the title would suggest but is perhaps the weakest track on the album. The songwriting takes a notable dip with this record, as the band take us through a weekly cycle in a fairly mundane way. Thankfully, this blip is quickly overridden by tracks like ‘Green Fields’ and ‘Sad Strings’, both of which help to revitalise the album in the final third. Both feel instantly mesmerising, with strong riffs and vocal performances providing two of the true highlights on Framed.

The album ends strongly with ‘You Are All I Need’, a melancholy track that celebrates the protagonist’s other half in a uniquely charming way. Framed is a record that feels decades in the making. While it is the band’s fourth album, it really feels like that this album is the manifestation of their journey so far. Joyful, melancholy and consistently anthemic.

Words: Chloe West