Formerly a two-piece (guitarist Roland Ostheim and drummer Michael Smith), WDL now welcome Aaron Jenks on keyboards whose synth contributions add an element of modernity to the semi-vintage atmosphere created by Ostheim’s floating vocals and reverbed guitars, and Smith’s hard-hitting and unbound drum patterns.

On the album, the pliant ethereality of T Rex holds a place alongside the electronic and instrumental experimentation of 1990s post-rock (Tortoise comes to mind) and grunge distortion.

“How I live in this World” stands out as a good example of the ways WDL takes full advantage of the sonic toolbox available to them: equal attention is paid to the composition, instrumentation, performance and mixing elements. The piece as a whole travels comfortably within diverse sections, while maintaining a distinct and comprehensive mood throughout.

Although the band’s live shows are known for chaotic displays of bombast, this album’s strength lies in its moments of melodic simplicity. These are the gaps in the comprehensive atmospheric cloudiness of the album, the breaths between storms and the pauses between lightning strikes.

The album release is 8 pm Saturday, March 15, at High Mayhem Studios.

Reviewed: We Drew Lightning, Glitch (3/18 High Mayhem Studios and Ruthless Sweetheart Studio)