The Wombats - 'Can't Say No'
Liverpool trio The Wombats return with triumphant new single ‘Can’t Say No’.
It’s Ironic that a song about escapism is so catchy that you can’t get away from it, yet The Wombats have returned with a new single, Can't Say No, believed to be the final release before their upcoming album Oh! The Ocean drops on February 14th.
In a recent interview, frontman and primary songwriter Matthew “Murph” Murphy shared his thoughts on the track, calling it his personal favorite from the album. “I kind of wanted it to sound like the three of us playing in a room together—if that room was in space,” Murph explained. The song, he noted, explores the tension between living in the moment and the consequences of impulsive decisions.
“It’s about making choices that don’t benefit my future self, and actually cause a lot of problems for me down the line,” he continued. “I never truly learned to live in the moment; I was always living for the moment, as if it were going to be my last.”
It’s really evident within the lyrics. The cleverness of The Wombats lies in their ability to take dark or deeply philosophical subject matter and spin it in a way that feels both light-hearted and engaging, “Let’s go vandalise a hearse/Steal some cash from your mothers purse /And sign her up for a ponzi scheme/She’ll be rich in cheap face cream” is a perfect example.
The melodic aspects of the instrumentation support this, with some light keys playing the vocal hook to really bed that earworm in. It's a nuanced approach that elevates the track, transforming a simple pop hook into something irresistibly addictive, and it’s just outright clever writing from a band who’s longevity has paid off, earning their first number 1 album with their last release ‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’ and always feel like a band that are improving. The music video for this song is also just simplistic brilliance, with Murph being chased from a reversing car, all captured on the car’s reverse camera.
The track’s general feel perfectly encapsulates the lifestyle of Murph, who’s called LA home for several years now. The Wombats have long had a knack for crafting music that balances a sense of existential dread with an infectious sense of joy, and this single is no exception.
If you're searching for the perfect soundtrack to a day spent at a beach bar, where the sun is setting, the drinks are flowing, all the while a volcano is erupting on the horizon, then this track fits the bill perfectly. The carefree, almost indifferent vibe of the music reflects the disregard that defines much of modern culture.
The Wombats are soon set to embark on a massive UK & European Tour throughout March & April, with their biggest shows and massive milestones for the band, which include a performance at The O2 Arena, and their biggest homecoming show in Liverpool, headlining ‘On The Waterfront’ festival on the 19th June. This tour see’s huge support acts such as Everything Everything, Red Rum Club, and Pale Waves, and is not to be missed.
Words by Doug Dewdney
