Let’s Wrestle - In Dreams (Part II)

Following the reissue of their debut album and a line-up change that saw original bassist Mike Lightning leave in favour of academic pursuits (to be replaced by the somewhat-less-awesomely-named Sam Pillay), Let’s Wrestle return with the upcoming, Steve Albini-produced, album ‘Nursing Home’. ‘In Dreams (Part II)’, the first single to be taken from said album, shows clear signs that these fresh-faced, bright-eyed upstarts have been well and truly Albini-ed (it’s a verb, honestly). As soon as the rough-hewn, barrelling power chords of the intro kick in, it’s clear that, while they haven’t sacrificed their knack for crafting glorious pop hooks, the Let’s Wrestle sound now carries considerably more heft.

The worldview of singer / guitarist Wesley Patrick Gonzalez remains as endearing and idiosyncratic as ever. Detailing the goings-on in his dreams he describes, among other things, getting beaten up by Pokemon and Greek men fighting in a pharmacy in Hurricane Town. He then grounds everything with a simple human connection (‘In my Dreams they never understand me, But when I tell you, you get it right away’). It’s moments like this that have earned Let’s Wrestle so much support. It’s all very well being clever and funny, dropping pop-culture references left, right and centre, but Let’s Wrestle never lose sight of the fact that all that’s worthless if you forget about the simple things, things like the thrill of new love, unguarded honesty and hooks. Huge. Fucking. Hooks. Let’s Wrestle have fortunately never been caught short with regards to any of these, elevating them above the ranks of disingenuous, smart-arse jokers.

While ‘In Dreams (Part II)’ may lack some of the immediacy and verve of some of the band’s finest moments, such as ‘I Won’t Lie to You’ or ‘We Are the Men You’ll Grow to Love Soon’, it certainly acts as an intriguing taster for the upcoming album, signposting a more full-blooded approach that could well see their star continue to rise.