Wombo: Danger In Fives [Album Review]

Wombo
Danger In Fives
Fire Talk Records [2025]

“Subdued, sly, and sonically rich—Danger in Fives proves Wombo don’t need volume to leave an impression.”

Album Overview: Formed in Louisville back in 2016, Wombo—made up of Sydney Chadwick, Cameron Lowe, and Joel Taylor—has quietly but confidently carved out a space in the modern indie underground. Known for warping post-punk foundations into something more fluid and exploratory, their third LP, Danger in Fives, doesn’t shout for attention—it creeps in with intent. Built after years of touring and tinkering with their creative process, the album opens a new chapter without ditching the DNA of what’s come before. It’s more subdued than past outings, but also more mysterious—you’re never quite sure where it’ll turn next. And that’s the thrill.

Musical Style: Danger in Fives balances sharp, angular guitar work with steady bass and crisp, propulsive drumming. Chadwick’s calm and detached vocals act as a grounding force while electronic textures and drum machines subtly shift the mood. There’s an odd magic in how Wombo blends organic and synthetic—songs pulse with a gritty warmth one moment, then float off into dreamy digital haze the next.

Evolution of Sound: Compared to the playful bursts of Fairy Rust (2022) or the scrappy ambition of Blossomlooksdownuponus (2020), this album feels more internal and measured. Instead of rushing songs from rehearsal to stage, the band let ideas simmer and mutate. That patience pays off—structures stretch and twist in surprising ways, yet still feel deliberate. It’s clear Wombo knows where they’re headed, even when the route feels indirect.

Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re into the tangled grooves of Palm, the experimental pop logic of Deerhoof, the art-punk energy of Bodega, or the post-punk moves with FACS then Wombo should connect. There are also flickers of Broadcast-style moodiness, early Blonde Redhead tension, and even some of Mitski’s quiet force in how the vocals guide the movements.

Pivotal Tracks: The title track “Danger in Fives” opens the album with looping tension and a sense of off-kilter propulsion, a perfect introduction to the record’s elusive nature. “Spyhopping” is a standout—shifting between warped electronics and layered vocals, it morphs multiple times without losing its grip. “Neon Bog” leans into rhythm, fusing pulse and shimmer to build something that feels both urgent and hypnotic.

Lyrical Strength: Chadwick’s lyrics drift in and out of clarity, often orbiting around themes of perception, repetition, and elusive meaning. Lines loop back on themselves like recurring thoughts, leaving space for the listener to attach their own meaning. The words don’t spell things out, but they set a tone—unsettled, curious, always observing.

Final Groove: Danger in Fives isn’t a record that tries to dazzle on first listen—it’s more like a maze you want to wander through. While it lacks some of the immediacy of Wombo’s earlier work, it makes up for it with depth, subtle tension, and a willingness to take the more distant route. This is Wombo playing the long game, and its worth sticking around to see where they go next.

WOMBO REVIEW HISTORY
Fairy Rust (2022)

WOMBO LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Fire Talk Records