Wonderlick’s new single, ‘Rhinoceros’ is the second single from their upcoming album, ‘Wonderlick Goes To War’. It follows on from ‘Niagara Falls 1969’, which was released in May. ‘Wonderlick Goes To War’ is out on August 1.
Strident, to the point of almost being forceful, Wonderlick’s new single, ‘Rhinoceros’ lets listeners know who’s leading the charge when it comes to quirky protest songs. It’s a slow-burner of a rock song, but by the end you’ll know which side the band stand on.
The album is a modern day answer to the message scrawled by Woody Guthrie on his guitar way back in 1943 – “this machine kills fascists”, and the music video for ‘Rhinoceros’ leaves us in no doubt about it, with its not at all subtle imagery of people in red caps, and rhinos in black shirts that barrel down anyone and anything that goes against the supposed status quo. Rhinos, known for their poor eyesight and tendency to charge at the slightest provocation, are a great analogy for the current state of the US government and their supporters. They’re buoyed up by the idea of having some power to finally say what they want to say – the quiet things – out loud. Wonderlick, however, know that the rhinos are made of paper; they’re acting out of fear. When the rhinoceroses ask, “are you one of us?” Wonderlick loudly declare, “I’m not one of you!”, and the rhinos are revealed for who they truly are; that they are people scared of change and anyone different, who only have power when they act as a pack, but they can’t defend themselves when people stand up to them.
‘Rhinoceros’ is loud and proud, and encourages listeners to be themselves, especially when it comes to facing up to the fascists. We’ve certainly got the machinery to defeat them.
Watch the splendid lyric video for ‘Rhinoceros’ below, and find out more about Wonderlick and their music online on their official website, Facebook, Spotify, and Bandcamp.
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