July 21, 2026

The Wants – Bastard (Digital/CD/Vinyl Album – STTT Records)

The Wants – "Bastard" album cover
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The American trio The Wants has been active since 2017 and released their acclaimed debut album “Container” in 2020. Five years later, the New York band returns with a deeply personal new record, shaped by tragedy and reflection.

The album offers eleven tracks, each drawing from a wide palette of influences. To confine The Wants to a single genre would be nearly impossible—their sound is as much an experience as it is an experiment. At its core, the music is rooted in Rock, yet infused with Ambient textures and shaded by the darker hues of New-Wave. Above all, the record radiates a Psychedelic intensity, heightened by the strikingly crafted song structures that often build toward cathartic climaxes. Guitar and electronics merge seamlessly, elevated by vocals that carry both urgency and atmosphere. The result is a body of work that feels simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking—innovative, even avant-garde.

With “Bastard”, The Wants reaffirm their status as a singular musical force—bold, enigmatic, and utterly captivating. A must have for open-minded music lovers. (Rating:8).

The album was previewed by the single “87 Gas”.

Watch the clip of “Data Tumor”:

About The Wants

The Wants are a New York trio formed in 2017 by Madison Velding-VanDam and Jason Gates. The pair released the debut album “Container” in 2020, then welcomed synthesist and bassist Yasmeen Night (of NightNight) following a run of sold-out UK and EU shows.

“Bastard”, the band’s second album, was released via STTT Records on June 13, 2025, in digital, CD and vinyl formats. Velding-VanDam wrote the record in the aftermath of his father’s death, discovered over the 2019 Christmas period.

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