Uncle Skunk - "My Sweet Wife"

Uncle Skunk’s new EP, II, features some of the young band’s best songwriting to date. The spry quintet prominently displays their many hats across the collection’s six songs. Whether it's the hulking rock and roll of “December 18th,” the whirring experimentation of “Drone Song,” or the smooth balladry of “On the Hill,” the band excels by spreading their wings stylistically, while still maintaining a signature sound as an anchoring through line. Those Paul Westerberg comparisons still ring true, but as the Mats frontman did throughout his distinguished career, Uncle Skunk continue to evolve and develop their songwriting in new and captivating ways. The EP’s first track, “My Sweet Wife,” embodies their spirit.

“My Sweet Wife” kicks off II with a burst of ephemeral noise before soft landing into a satisfying twin guitar attack. The track is sonically sweet, mid-tempo, and at times mollifying, with vocals that soothe the soul. The instrumentation feels relaxed, yet simultaneously propulsive as it gains steam across the track’s four-and-a-half-minute runtime, particularly when it comes to drummer Teddy Sidiropolous’ spirited fills.

Stream the track below.

You can purchase II via Bandcamp. The EP is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram.