Hymns of Love & Spirits

In a world where music is dominated by electronic instruments and computer generated instruments, it’s always refreshing to come across a band like The Wilderness of Manitoba (WOM), a band with a sound defined by layering banjos, cellos, vocals, and underlying sixties folk influences. Not many bands can do soft folk well, but, in their first EP since forming in 2008, WOM proves that they are one of the few who can.

The first thing that jumps out at me is how much WOM sounds like Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, and Great Lake Swimmers –especially Bon Iver.  However, compared to Bon Iver, WOM sounds less melancholic and more hippie sounding.  There’s something quintessentially Canadian about their sound and their lyrics speak of the beauty of nature.

Perhaps the most strikingly unique aspect of this EP are its sixties influences.  This is especially apparent in the track, “Evening”, which was originally written by band member Will Whitwham’s mother in 1968.   While staying true to the original version, the band’s version of “Evening”, is by far the best track of the album due to its simplicity and the well-arranged vocal interplays.

All in all, Hymns of Love and Spirits is a great EP that is definitely worth listening to if you like Bon Iver and/or Fleet Foxes or just like soft folk in general.

By Athena Ngai