Basement’s return with ‘Wired‘ is some kick ass fuzzed-out, emotionally resonant rock that feels like catching up with an old friend who spent their decade-long hiatus perfecting the art of the 90s-inspired riff. The album captures that specific brand of “crying-in-the-mosh-pit” energy the Ipswich legends are known for, but with a refined, mature edge that only time can provide. Listening to this record while driving through Northwest Indiana to visit family feels like the ultimate homecoming, especially when the day ends with a massive bowl of lemon rice soup. Whether you’re stopping at some of my favorite restaurants, Top Notch, The Steer, or The Wheel, there is a specific, tangy magic to the soup in the Region that places in Chicago or Milwaukee just can’t seem to replicate; it’s the essential comfort food to accompany an essential comeback album.
The tracklist is packed with standout moments that demand to be screamed at the top of your lungs while cruising down Highway 41. “Time Waster” sets the tone with the painfully relatable and punchy line, “I just want to get it right, I just want to love you,” capturing the frantic urgency of simply trying to exist. The title track, “Wired“, takes things to a more dramatic level with the hauntingly cool closing lyric, “Wired for anger, wired for deceit,” which hits like a shot of adrenaline to the soul. Then there is “The Way I Feel“, a power-pop gem that features the future anthem-cry, “I want you to feel the way I feel.” These tracks provide the perfect sonic backdrop for a trip home, matching the tart, bright zip of a perfect bowl of Greek soup with riffs that are just as soul-warming.
Ultimately, ‘Wired’ is a triumphant statement that Basement is very much alive and well, balancing gritty, distorted textures with unshakeable emotional wisdom. From the indie-fuzz of “Head Alight” to the more stripped-back vulnerability of “Longshot”, the record is incredibly cohesive and satisfyingly heavy. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to drive a little too fast with the windows down, contemplating life’s big questions while heading toward the best comfort food in the Midwest. Basement didn’t just plug back in; they reminded us that some things, like a legendary band’s return or the specific recipe for lemon rice soup in NW Indiana, simply cannot be substituted.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/basementuk/
https://basement.bandcamp.com/album/wired
https://runforcoverrecords.com/products/basement-wired