Wombo - Danger in Fives

I first heard Wombo when our band had an off night on tour in Lexington, Kentucky the night after playing a very fun basement show with our friend Chlorine (Chlorine is a great project we should talk about soon, this album from 2023 is especially transcendent that I have strong associations as a soundtrack to my one and only Las Vegas trip during the timeframe it was released. Imagine me walking through obnoxious blinking and clanging hotel casinos, in and out of oppressive heat, sometimes on a weird little hotel connecting tram, headphones in and Chlorine guiding me). The night after the basement show, Joey from Chlorine was involved in a ramshackle event in a sprawling restaurant bar with stages inside and out (there could have been multiple venues involved) and we stumbled upon Wombo shredding the gig. Most probably 2018 I think. We all loved what Wombo was doing and started following their releases in the coming years.

Fast forward to August, 2025, and Louisville, Kentucky's Wombo has remained active and growing, culminating in this latest slab of infectious melodies and compelling instrument patterns and combinations, Danger in Fives.

I really enjoy getting to witness a band on a journey of collaboration, and Wombo has always struck me as a band that puts a lot of work into each instrument having their own space while being in communion with each one. The drums, voice, bass and guitar interplay on this album and give and take space to create an overall atmosphere that feels lived in and confident.

Most of my favorite music is in this realm of patterns built around interplay of instruments, giving each other space and finding where it all fits in. It's kind of just another communication technique at that point of transcendence and best to lock into the rhythm of conversation like I believe Wombo has done.

If you get pulled in, check out their whole catalog and enjoy the transitions and building across the years. I'd also like to share a compelling live document I found from earlier this year that combines their sound ideas and is a stellar performance:

I should have warned earlier, but Danger in Fives contains many earworms that will stick with you, but I see that more as a gift than a curse.