Wot Gorilla? were a criminally under appreciated gem back in 2012 when their last LP Kebnekaise was released; they pushed the boundaries of complex but melodic ear worms and while appearances at Reading and Leeds and Arctangent were achieved, a gradual hibernation ensued. But in leafy Halifax a pulse of creation always remained.
In 2026 the math rock scene is vastly different wilderness with bands like Love Rarely and Blight Town hitting rich veins to capture the imagination of new fans and old favourites like TTNG returning after their own hibernation. Wot Gorilla? in 2026 is almost a new band with only Matt Haigh (vocalist/guitarist) and Jonny Newman-Hay (bass/sax/vocals) remaining from the original line-up. Joining them are Jason Howard (drums) and Grant Beedan Clayton (guitars/vocals) who began as a fan only to join them in recent years to be a crucial component of the albums production with the majority of it being done at his house for a pure and invigorating DIY recording experience. Wot Gorilla? remained fully in control of the process with all the time in the world to bear fruit to produce an exquisite piece of progressive math-post hardcore.
“Wot Gorilla? constantly evolve before your eyes with every momentary whiplash making sense”
Reading the story of this album’s creation – which cover is a wholesome picture of Haighs daughter in a zebra mask – you would expect something predominantly delicate. But Wot Gorilla? have chosen now to push the boundaries even further than they ever did in 2012. Erupting out of ‘No Side to Sit’ is a raucous introduction with shades of Eidola and Sikth burning bright with harsh vocals ripping through the angular panic thrown down before a double kick barrage sends them spiralling into some sassy harsh vocals. Title track ‘Stay Home’ continues a barely tangible pattern of jaw dropping technicality and pop sensibility in a tandem where neither fall short of keeping up. No song is under five minutes, with every idea feeling as essential as the next.
Wot Gorilla? constantly evolve before your eyes with every momentary whiplash making sense. No stranger to the somber, ‘115q11.2’ shows the delicacy in Haighs vocals who has a stunning Claudio Sanchez quality to compliment the early portion of the track which rockets between furious verse and tantalising chorus. They are not afraid to tug on the heartstrings with some midwest emo magic narrated by none other than Haighs daughter who reads a section from her favourite book to prove that in this robot there is a human heart dealing with a myriad of relatable issues, from Haighs insecurities of being an older gentleman in a band to the attitude of those in power to climate change.
End track ‘Young Mans Game’ serves as the albums mantra as Haigh wrestles with artistic validation and insecurities in his craft. Its a trip through a wormhole as it weaves its way through hooks and intricacies to arrive at a delightful section of saxophone to bookmark an unconventional but constantly evolving life-form to leave you in amazement at the journey. Reaching the end of ‘Stay Home’ the insecurities Haigh describes feel nonexistent with an odyssey being executed to beautiful lengths with the Wot Gorilla? return proving to be far from a brief victory lap but one which sees them eclipsing their former selves.