“SAKURA” by West Wickhams

Rather than announcing itself with urgency or spectacle, Sakura arrives quietly, unfolding at its own unhurried pace. West Wickhams’ latest EP feels less like a collection of songs and more like a series of passing moments, gently observed and carefully preserved. Rooted in the Japanese concept of mono no aware, the five-track release reflects on impermanence and emotional fragility, finding beauty in what fades rather than what endures. The EP opens with “Up to the Old Tricks,” immediately drawing the listener into West Wickhams’ lo-fi post-punk world. Softly blurred synths, understated rhythms, and a detached vocal presence create a sense of distance that feels deliberate rather than cold. There’s an intimate, bedroom-pop closeness to the sound, but it’s wrapped in a darker, dreamlike haze that gives the track its emotional depth.

Across Sakura, Jon Othello and Elle Flores demonstrate a refined sense of restraint. The songs drift instead of driving forward, favouring atmosphere over overt hooks. This approach reinforces the EP’s central philosophy: emotions are allowed to exist without explanation, and moments are meant to be felt as they are. The slightly rough, imperfect production adds to this effect, enhancing the feeling that the music exists somewhere between memory and reality. West Wickhams’ origins subtly shape the EP’s character. Formed on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, a place rich with myth and isolation, the duo carry an otherworldly sensibility into their current base in Richmond, Surrey.

Their self-styled mythology and gothic edge sit comfortably alongside their post-punk influences, giving the project a personality that feels both imaginative and grounded. Literary and artistic inspirations—from gothic fiction to ancient myth and abstract art—hover in the background of Sakura, informing its tone without ever becoming explicit. The closing track, “Save Yourself,” brings the EP to a quiet, unresolved end, offering acceptance rather than answers. Sakura is a subtle and emotionally resonant release that rewards careful listening. In embracing impermanence, West Wickhams create a dreamlike EP that lingers long after its brief bloom has passed.