In a year that has already been brimming with great indie releases, space has to be made for newcomers Wooll. The Providence, RI natives are releasing their debut album Unwind today, and it’s chock full of pleasing indie earworms. The band consists of Corinne Roma on vocals and acoustic guitar, Tyler Rosenholm on electric guitar, Tyler Chauncey on bass and Derek Goulet on drums. The unit sounds tight and experienced far beyond their years. Part of this is due to the fact that Rosenholm, Chauncey and Goulet all played in former Boston stalwart Kid Mountain, a band that folded in 2020. They all stayed friends – thanks to a mutual love of ultimate frisbee – and roped Roma into the fold. Soon enough, they were jamming, and Unwind was born.
One thing that’s apparent almost immediately on Unwind is how the group shows remarkable patience, despite the album’s title. This is not a spunky, aggressive debut, like you may see from other upstart indie bands. Wooll wear their heart on their sleeves, giving nods to midtempo 10’s groups like Beach House, with a little bit of the Beths thrown in. While the band stops far short of shoegaze, the lessons are present. Opening track “Copy Of Acoustic” starts, fittingly, with just acoustic guitar. While it quickly develops into a full-band tune, the relaxed tone is set. The album’s first three tunes are all peacefully melodic and midtempo. “OK” and “Hollandaise” kick things into a higher gear, and “Measure Pressure” is a true ballad, but every track on this album stays within the same realm of tuneful, atmospheric indie.
Roma’s vocals are often the highlight amongst these songs. This is true on the opener and the follow-up “Bags Of Hal,” and even more so on the fantastic, plodding final track “Snoodgaze.” But what comes across so impressively is how well the band works as a team. Unwind does not feel like a debut album, like a band testing the waters. Instead, everything meshes well in one inherent identity. The album has two fun instrumentals, “Intersnood” and “Loom,” which give more of a focus on the band and allow them to be sprier and noodle around some. Rosenholm’s guitar work sounds excellent on “OK” and “Hollandaise.” Chauncey and Goulet get to really shine on “Measure Pressure,” creating a pulsating rhythm that hits like an ocean wave. Across all the other tracks, the band is tight and aligned remarkably well. The often dreamlike, shoegaze-lite melodies are both reserved and united.
Unwind can be streamed on Bandcamp and Spotify below. The album was recorded at Big Nice Studio in Lincoln, RI. The album cover art was designed by John Rego. Wooll can be found at two upcoming shows:
-5/18 at In Your Ear in Warren, RI, with AP favorite Alexander. Check the venue website for updated details soon!
-6/1 at Deep Cuts in Medford, MA, with Helenor and another AP favorite, Beeef. Get tickets here!