‘Wild God’ is Nick Cave’s message of hope

By JAMES BALE

Nick Cave wants people to know that he’s on the healing path with Wild God, the latest album from renowned Australian alternative band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the first since 2019. It’s also the first release from the band since the tragic death of Cave’s son, Jethro, in 2022. However, this album is not his grief; it shows that Cave has a greater appreciation for the world around him than ever before.

This is a major shift in musical and lyrical themes for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Once the symbols for the antipathetic nature of post-punk throughout the 80s, the band have become more open to world around them with Cave stating in an interview with Apple Music, “these terrible things happened, the world has done its worst. I feel released in some way from those sorts of feelings”.

Each track is classic Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at their core, incorporating slow piano ballads, backing acoustic guitar, alongside many experimental elements such as the automated voice in the background on O Wow O Wow.

This song is one of the stronger tracks on the album and serves as tribute to the late Australian singer-songwriter Anita Lane. The song describes the impact of Lane on Cave, as her presence lit up the world in his eyes. The song also finishes with a voicemail from Lane which describes their close relationship.

Every track on this album plays out as if they are the thoughts rolling through Cave’s head, each describing some sort of concept of love, loss, hope and understanding. The concept of ‘rain’ is present throughout the album, which symbolizes the dark place Cave is trying to get out of.

The opening track Song of the Lake uses repetition and juxtaposition in its lyrics as Cave ponders the contradictions of life and grasps the concept of the reality of things, while the title track, Wild God is a perfect representation of why Cave created this album.

The description of the golden god riding free, in search of a girl symbolizes Cave’s own newfound freedom and the philosophy that nothing matters in a way that feels genuinely hopeful and freeing rather than despairingly nihilistic. This self-reflection is further emphasized through his singing style, taking on a Lou Reed-esque ‘speak singing’ style which creates the idea that this album is a memoir and a personal journey.

One standout throughout the album is the basslines. The bass player for the album is none other than Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood, who compliments the rough, yet melodic piano and orchestral backing with thick and sometimes murky bass tone that provides that extra groove on each track.

Emotional and euphoric, this album is a fine addition to the expansive discography of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Each note played and lyric sung allows the inner workings of Nick Cave unfold before us unorthodox, and moving record.

★★★★½
Out now