Wire Silver/Lead

40 years on since their landmark debut album, ‘Pink Flag’, Wire may be forever considered a post-punk group given their stature and influence in the genre. Whilst they undoubtedly helped shape what the genre became, though, their on-going advances in contemporary music should not be overlooked as part of their larger achievements. Whilst there’s always a potent sense of urgency and bite to what this band continue to put out, on album 15 Wire display what now feels like an effortless aptitude for melody, as the group ooze out infectious guitar-pop when they want to – ‘Short Elevated Period’ being a glisteningly catchy example.

Colin Newman’s vocals are treated to give a wonky shine to them, one that interlocks with the rippling melodies of the dual guitars. Ultimately, ‘Silver/Lead’ is a harmonically and melodically rich album – with occasional stabs of heavier guitar, brooding bass and lurking drums – and feels like an example of not a rare gem late in the band’s catalogue but yet another example of their consistent evolution.