Dragon Welding – The Naughty Step

Dragon Welding, Andrew Golding’s project (The Wolfhounds), collaborates with vocalist Nik Cockshott (previously of The Spores and The Keatons) to release The Naughty Step, a very emotional and technically brave record. Golding defines the album as a way of dealing with unresolved concerns while navigating new challenges -a process that inspires his work. The album begins with “Up And Away,” which mixes a New Romantic style with synths that switch between synthwave and new wave. At 0:52, indie rock guitars enter the mix, with additional references to the 1970s glam rock musician such Gary Glitter. The title track, “The Naughty Step,” has sad synths in a minimalistic arrangement, as well as melancholic vocals that recreate the nostalgic spirit of 1980s new wave while maintaining a fresh, modern production. This ballad is noteworthy for its psychological complexity and dramatic singing style. With “We Dance Among You,” the album breaks away into electronica, combining elements of 1990s dance music and acid techno. Despite its electronic leanings, the music has a rock feel because to its powerful bassline and strong vocal presence. “Hiding Things For Fun” takes a more experimental approach, combining Talk Talk’s enigmatic spirit and Duran Duran’s cool elegance. The tune begins with drifting synth sounds that take the listener to a dreamy world. As the album develops, its stylistic scope expands. “It’s Not Tomorrow Forever” flirts with Britpop while filtered through a krautrock-influenced prism of amazing synth experimentation. Meanwhile, “Start Believing, Start Living the Lie” shifts between industrial sounds and indie rock, highlighting the album’s devotion to audio diversity. The Naughty Step maintains a constant mood all over, with a neo-romantic singing style and a general feeling of pleasant melancholy. Golding and Cockshott create a full-body listening experience that combines hypnotic electronic elements with deep thought. The end result is an album that is both nostalgic and innovative, relying on the past while developing its own unique space in the present.