The Wonder are an international group consisting of Australian vocalist and guitarist Matt Davis – who is also a founding member of Melbourne rock band Gersey – with Parisian artists Alexandre Gontard (bass), Nico Defeudis (guitar), Milan Zuidema (keys and backup vocals), and Fulvio Serpone on drums.
With an EP entitled ‘Pop’ due for release on 28 February, they have just unveiled a single ‘I Don’t Want To Come Down’ which has all the glittering hallmarks of an indie pop classic with its guitar-driven focus and melancholy delivery. There are detectable in its genes the sounds of bands like Interpol, The National and The Killers which is in itself a recommendation enough, but there is an unique sound that seems to blend the Antipodean with the Gallic, creating a delectable anthem.
The lyrics are enigmatic and spiritual like a sermon from the pulpit, delivered in Davis’s sonorous vocals:
I, was once the light
In your fair eyes
I was once the find of your life
But it is not time
For Gods and men
And I for one don’t mind
Davis explores the influences and discusses the development of the song with the band:
I wrote the chords and rhythm to ‘I Don’t Want to Come Down’ very quickly. After writing a few slower, more meandering songs I was ready to write something faster and more direct. I was thinking about songs like Red Eyes by The War on Drugs, Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National and even a little bit of PDA by Interpol. Songs that grab you and won’t let go.
I actually wrote the lyrics to this song twice. I finished a demo version and sent it to my friend Nick Huggins (Dirty Three, Jen Cloher) to mix it for me. While I was waiting for him to mix it, I had a sudden realisation that they were the wrong lyrics. I’m not a religious person, but for some reason I suddenly imagined the song being sung by Jesus Christ. He was lamenting the mess we had made of Earth. I don’t know where this idea came from, but it drove me to rewrite the song from his perspective. He doesn’t want to come back down here, because of the terrible mess we’ve made, but the response line “Get your head out of the clouds”, means that perhaps things aren’t as bad as he thinks. Maybe things are as they are meant to be.
For me this song is made by Alex’s bass line in the instrumental part in the middle of the song. Once I heard that I knew we had something. And the highlight probably is Milan singing the line above, “Get your head out of the clouds” with a perfect mix of anger and disdain.
It’s a perfect combination of many influences and sounds – creating something quite special and indelible.
The track comes with an immersive video shot in black and white directed by French film director Salma Cheddadi in the calm reverence of the Eglise Saint-Ambroise: adding to the ethereal nature of the song.
‘I Don’t Want To Come Down’ is a spectacular single and promises much for the forthcoming EP. It is available to download and stream here.
‘Pop’ is out on 28 February 2025 and can be pre-saved here.
