Torontoโs genre-blurring collective WHEO (World Harmony Electric Orchestra) has returned with their second full-length album, Irish Democracy, released May 18, 2025. Following the warm reception of their 2023 debut Picture Day, this 11-track record builds on their pop-folk foundation while reaching into richer emotional and political territory. The title refers to the subtle art of following rules in letter but not in spirit. Written and recorded during a season of bitter cold in a humble backyard studio, the record reflects intimacy and resilience, shaped by Theoโs deeply personal songwriting and a band whose textures range from aching violins to gruff harmonicas.
The opening track, โBack in the Day,โ wastes no time setting the tone. A cascading piano carries the listener gently in before the vocals lift with a kind of unshakable joy, soaring above bustling drums, sweeping strings, and triumphant horns. It feels almost like a celebration of memory, full of warmth yet tinged with nostalgia.
Then the mood takes a sharp turn with โIโm Sorry.โ Built on heavy, deliberate piano chords, the track aches with regret as Theoโs voice climbs, trembling at the edge of its range. Shivering cymbals and writhing strings mirror the fragility of the lyrics, capturing the restless weight of a love that slipped away. By contrast, the closer โSee Ya Down the Roadโ leaves the record on a note of vitality. Starting with an almost playful vocal cadence against piano and strings, it gradually erupts into grinding guitars, bustling drums, and pumping horns, the singer belting with all the verve of someone looking forward rather than back.
Altogether, Irish Democracy testifies to endurance, kindness, and reflection. WHEO proves here that sincerity, when paired with vivid instrumentation, can strike just as powerfully as rebellion.
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Review by: Naomi Joan