There’s a lot to like about ‘Lucky Life’. Blood Wizard lean into a warm, hazy palette here, pulling from shoegaze and alt-rock influences with a sense of nostalgia that feels rooted in growing pains and that awkward shift into adulthood. It’s reflective without getting bogged down, circling themes of disillusionment, distance and trying to stay connected to people and places that no longer feel quite the same.
Opener ‘Lucky Life’ is the standout, hitting a sweet spot between atmosphere and momentum. It carries a sense of movement that gives the EP an early lift, with guitars that feel full and immersive without losing their shape. ‘I Know You Well’ follows with a more inward gaze, exploring closeness and its complications, while ‘Lick The Big Star’ taps into ambition and fantasy, chasing a feeling that’s always just out of reach.
There’s a clear shift in how the band operate here, moving away from a more solitary process into a collaborative one, and you can hear it in the fuller sound. Everything feels thicker, more considered, with space given to guitars to stretch out and linger.
That said, the EP doesn’t quite live up to its opening promise. As it moves on, the pacing dips and the impact softens, with later tracks drifting rather than pushing forward. The mood remains consistent, but it can feel a touch one-note across the runtime.
Still, as a snapshot of a band in transition, ‘Lucky Life’ does have its charm. It’s thoughtful and well-crafted, but never quite pushes itself far enough to really stick.
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