Welsh indie/shoegaze outfit Wylderness are back with a new sonic chapter, blending nostalgia-soaked reflections with their signature shimmering wall of sound. Their forthcoming EP, Safe Mode, set for release on 2nd June, offers a reimagining of the 90s software boom—not through the lens of Silicon Valley, but in the heart of Wales’ south coast.
From their earliest offerings, Wylderness have crafted woozy, sun-drenched indie pop, wrapped in layers of fuzz-drenched guitars and ethereal melodies—think Ride meets DIIV with a touch of Sonic Youth’s raw energy. Their ability to merge immersive soundscapes with emotive storytelling has earned them champions in BBC Radio’s Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens, plus nods from Clash, DIY, and Drowned in Sound.
With Safe Mode, the band continues this journey, bridging sonic nostalgia with modern introspection. The EP’s closing track, "What Happens to the Rain", is a kaleidoscopic composition split into two distinct halves—first, a breezy Real Estate-style atmosphere, before taking a trippy detour into Brian Jonestown Massacre territory. The lyrics evoke the bittersweet haze of revisiting childhood memories, where reality never quite aligns with recollection.
"Seeing faces you had forgotten / Crying for no one / Recollections made of concrete / Fade in the sun"
Wylderness have earned their stripes playing alongside Acid Mothers Temple, Sonic Cathedral, and performing at Sŵn Festival—consistently delivering evocative live performances that balance shimmering beauty with visceral intensity. Their previous album, Big Plans for a Blue World (2022), expanded their sonic palette with vintage synths and clarinet flourishes, landing at No.28 in Far Out Magazine’s Best Albums of the Year and making waves on the North American College & Community Radio Chart.
With Safe Mode, 2025 marks another evolution for the band, recorded with producers Andrew Sanders and longtime collaborator Rory Attwell. Expect enveloping soundscapes, hypnotic refrains, and an exploration of the digital versus the deeply personal—a perfect encapsulation of the modern shoegaze spirit.
Wylderness release "What Happens to the Rain" digitally on 29th May, ahead of their EP drop on 2nd June.
Follow them for more updates:
Bandcamp - https://wylderness.bandcamp.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylderness_band
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyldernessband
