Ahead of their triumphant headline show at The Carlton Club in Manchester, Spaceheads surprised fans with a brand-new six-track EP. Titled Go Wild, it marks their first collection of new material since 2022’s Rust EP. Although they did put out a release last year, it was a retrospective box set – three vinyl LPs compiling 27 tracks from seven albums originally issued on CD in the 1990s.
Renowned for their improvisation and inventive spirit, Spaceheads are very much a live-driven band, and the EP’s opening track has quickly become a crowd favourite since its debut performance. Titled ‘The Rich Are a Luxury We Can’t Afford’, it taps directly into the current political zeitgeist, echoing global calls to confront inequality and rethink taxation. Intriguingly, the track’s core loops originated from trumpet improvisations Andy Diagram recorded during the COVID lockdown in early 2021, when he live-streamed a half-hour session of looping trumpet and effects each day. Drummer Richard Harrison later sifted through these sessions, selecting grooves he liked and layering drums over them. The process generated a rich archive of material – some of which appeared on the Rust EP, with even more still awaiting release.
Next up is ‘The Panama Papers Affair’, a track that showcases Richard’s distinctive drumming front and centre. A wild, off-kilter drum pattern forms the foundation, while trumpet loops and improvised melodies spiral above it. Additional brass parts were layered in afterwards, underscoring just how expansive and inventive Spaceheads’ sound can be – made all the more impressive when you remember that every sound is crafted live by just two musicians.
A track that reportedly emerged spontaneously during a jam, ‘Burros, Torritos, Saddlesores & Honchos’ was a highlight of the duo’s recent Manchester show. Anchored by a looping bass line, the track features a dive-bomb trumpet blast run through a whammy pedal, plunging it four octaves lower and inspiring a thunderous drum backbeat. Ahead of the EP’s release, the track was accompanied by a music video, filmed amid the wildflowers surrounding the Cheshire barn where Spaceheads recorded the EP. The setting not only nods to the EP’s title but also perfectly mirrors the raw energy of Spaceheads’ sound and the distinctive, organic approach that defines both their recordings and live performances.
‘The Dark Forest’ is perhaps the EP’s most experimental track. Fans of James will know Andy’s trumpet skills extend far beyond conventional playing, often leaving audiences guessing where a sound is coming from. Here, his eerie trumpet harmonies set a haunting tone, complemented by occasional owl calls that heighten the track’s mysterious atmosphere. Adding to the intrigue, Richard contributes extra percussion by tapping out a rhythm on a jam jar, giving the piece an otherworldly, almost ritualistic feel.
Spaceheads never shy away from experimenting with unconventional instruments – even household items, like Richard’s jam jar on ‘The Dark Forest’. And on ‘Demolish Serious Culture’, a new instrument takes centre stage: the whamola, which is a single string on a piece of wood, electrified and tuned like a full scale upright bass. Played by their friend and sound engineer Mon Duncalf, it adds a fresh and unexpected texture to the duo’s adventurous sonic palette.
The EP closes with ‘We’ve Got to Make It Better’ – a track that begins simply and gradually builds, layering beats as the drums steadily gain intensity. Its evolving structure mirrors the journey of the EP, that takes the listener through six distinct tracks. Cleverly, the title is an onomatopoeia derived from one of the loops, providing a playful touch. It’s a fitting conclusion to the EP, with a sentiment that feels especially resonant in today’s world.
Go Wild reaffirms Spaceheads’ reputation as fearless sonic explorers. Across six tracks, the duo blend improvisation, technical mastery, and a playful sense of experimentation, crafting music that is both unpredictable and deeply engaging. From politically charged statements to whimsical jams and eerie soundscapes, the EP showcases the breadth of their creativity, all achieved with just two musicians at the helm. It’s a vibrant, adventurous collection that captures the spirit of their live performances while pushing their studio work into exciting new territory – leaving fans eager to see what Spaceheads will conjure next.
Go Wild is out now via Electric Brass Records. It’s available on CD and digital download across all platforms. You can can order it from the Spaceheads Bandcamp page.
You can read our review of the band’s recent gig in Manchester here.
