If you are the type of person who laments Radiohead venturing into electronica and their progression beyond traditional song structures, then Wand may be the band for you. There latest album ‘Laughing Matter’, their fifth to date, sees the LA quintet of Cory Hanson (vocals, guitar), Sofia Arreguin (synth, vocals), Robert Cody (guitar), Lee Landey (bass) and Evan Burrows (drums) traverse those dystopian, guitar-driven sonic planes, upon which Thom Yorke now only occasionally grazes.

‘Laughing Matter’ sees Wand make considerable creative strides, so much so, that they are almost unrecognisable from their garage rock beginnings. Cory Hanson excels in capturing the pre-apocalyptic sense of fear that permeates the Trumpian world, the dread that comes from knowing a moron holds the nuclear codes and that climate change will never be a priority until it’s too late. Faced with the end of days, Hanson finds his niche as the forlorn troubadour charting the decay. After all, the end of the world is no laughing matter.

Formed in 2013, Wand quickly released 3 albums during a two-year creative explosion – with Ty Segall signing the group to his Drag City imprint God? Records and taking them out on the road on tour in support of his 2014 album ‘Manipulator’.

Those early records, ‘Ganglion Reef’ (2014), ‘Golem’ and ‘1000 Days’ saw Wand pursuing psychedelic, garage rock avenues with pristine pop melodies drowning in a sea of distortion. The group’s talent was evident from the off and despite being somewhat out of step with modern guitar groups it was apparent that Wand had the potential to move beyond the limitations of their early work.

2017’s ‘Plum’ provided the first evidence that the group could in fact move beyond its initial blueprint. Nowadays it is almost unheard of for an act to receive the chance to develop over the course of numerous albums, but thankfully Wand were afforded that luxury in the Drag City family -‘Plum’ would go on to be listed in the top 50 albums of 2017 in the likes of Time Out and Paste.

Check out ‘Laughing Matter in-full below. Wand play two Irish shows next week as part of their European tour, before heading out on the road with Sterolab in America later this year.

The Sound House, Dublin – Thursday August 22nd. Tickets €16.00

Ulster Sports Club, Belfast – Friday August 23rd. Tickets £12.00