Alternative rockers Haunt The Woods are back with their second album Ubiquity. With 12 songs, Ubiquity has elements of hard rock, prog, indie and so much more. The limits are pushed throughout the album, with the band fusing together sounds from every corner of rock to create their own unique take on modern rock.
‘Fever Dream’ is a dramatic opening to the album. Acoustic guitars are present throughout, with huge electric leads appearing over the top of them. Sounding Queen-esque at times, the song builds into something that could be from a movie soundtrack. ‘Save Me’ is a slow folk ballad for the first half before the whole band comes in. Vocals on the album are the stand out with Jonathan Stafford having an insane range. There’s a Myles Kennedy/Jeff Buckley sound to his voice that very few people have, and on songs like ‘Save Me’ you hear the full power of it.
While the sound that they have crafted is unique, there is an overarching Jeff Buckley feel the whole album. You’ll probably struggle to find anyone that’s put out music post 90’s that isn’t somewhat inspired by Jeff Buckley but this feels heavily inspired by him. Soaring vocals, the way the guitars and vocals intertwine and all the layers of instruments – it all feels so Jeff Buckley but that’s not a bad thing.
The album is overall very slow paced with each song taking it’s time to build and letting every instrument breathe. Lead guitar licks from Phoenix Elleschild compliment most songs with them lying in points of songs where you wouldn’t expect. The lead guitar/vocals combo works especially well on ‘Home’ with the guitar and vocals smoothly blending.
‘Now Is Our Time’ is a prog rock anthem, where there’s so much going on you never know what to focus on. Verses are slower and quieter, before chorus’ are full prog explosions. Soaring vocals, heavy guitars and pounding drums give the song a Mars Volta sound, with the band clearly wearing their influences on their sleeves at this point.
Towards the back end of the album, I was hoping for more life but it’s not there. After the burst of heavier prog, more of the same was needed however ‘Ubiquity’, ‘Overflow’ and ‘Sleepwalking’ all follow and things remain slow. That being said, ‘Sleepwalking’ is yet another song where the vocals will just blow you away.
Where the previous tracks lacked life, ‘Numb’ makes up for it. Starting slow like many of the other tracks it builds up to a huge ending where you hear more of the heavier guitars which worked so well on previous tracks. A giant last chorus as well sees Stafford hitting notes that are just ridiculous.
‘Said And Done’ ends the album on a high. Mostly acoustic, it works well for a final track on an album that leans heavily into slower acoustic songs. Electric guitar leads shine over the acoustic rhythm guitar making it one of the best tracks on the album with it just having a rawer edge than some of the other slow songs on Ubiquity.
On their second album Haunt The Woods have explored their sound and pushed it in every possible direction. Elements of rock, prog, indie and folk all appear throughout the album which seems like it is the band crafting their distinct sound. It feels at times like momentum is building before everything is slowed down. Ubiquity maybe could’ve benefited from one more fast song because when the band does kick in they are so good, that being said what we do have is an album that is both fresh and exciting.
