World's First Cinema - Something of Wonder
- Samuel Stevens
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
With Something of Wonder, which will be released on July 11, 2025, via Fearless Records, World’s First Cinema has delivered a debut album that is nothing short of cinematic grandeur. The Los Angeles-based duo—composed of former Neck Deep bassist Fil Thorpe and classically trained pianist/violinist John Sinclair—have defied genre limitations to create an ambitious, cohesive body of work that feels like a film for the ears. It’s immersive, it’s theatrical, and it’s one of the boldest alt-pop records of the year.
From the moment the opening track “Hold My Own” kicks in, it becomes clear this album will be a journey. A sharp left turn from the duo’s earlier work, the track leans heavily into their punk roots, with high-octane drums and a fierce energy that feels raw and electric, but at its core it is still a blistering pop number. Yet, as they describe it, this is a red herring. What follows is a kaleidoscopic blend of pop, electronic, baroque, and rock influences, all underscored by the duo’s signature orchestral flair and widescreen production.
The previously released singles serve as anchor points throughout the album, showcasing the group’s versatility. “Freak Show” is a theatrical baroque-pop anthem that echoes My Chemical Romance at their most operatic, while “Paranoid” slips into hypnotic, synth-driven territory with haunting lyrics that echo inner unrest. “The Underneath” and “End of My Rope” are brooding, introspective standouts, the former exploring darkness lurking beneath the surface, and the latter offering a moment of reflective vulnerability.
“Broken,” in both its original and the remixed version featuring UK rapper JD Cliffe, is a daring pivot that merges their cinematic style with modern hip-hop. However, it's JD Cliffe’s verses that add a new emotional layer to the already powerful song, grounding the track’s soaring production with sharp lyrical storytelling. It’s a surprising yet fitting collaboration that encapsulates the duo’s willingness to experiment and evolve.
Beyond the album's singles, it’s the back half of the record that delivers the most emotional impact. “Holy Ghost” is an infectious yet sweeping ballad that could easily soundtrack a climactic film scene, or even hit at the end credits of a film, with its dramatic string arrangements and the deeply spiritual undercurrent it features. Whereas the two tracks “Say Anything” and “Into Pieces” are full-blown ballads with immensely heartbreaking lyrics, and “Sweet World” offers a moment of warmth and delicate beauty, balancing melancholy with hope.
The album closes out with the track “Postcard,” and once more, World's First Cinema deliver a final poignant and poetic piece that feels like the end credits of a film you don’t want to leave. With soft piano lines and evocative vocals, it reinforces the cinematic tone that carries through the entire project. It's a quiet, emotionally satisfying resolution after an intense sonic journey.
From a visual standpoint, Something of Wonder is a leap forward. Inspired by avant-garde 70s cinema—most notably Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain—the duo’s aesthetic this time around is more surreal, more iconic. Where 2023’s Palm Reader leaned into the vintage glamour of 1920s Silver Screen, this album embraces abstract visuals and dream logic, giving each track the feeling of its own short film.
Working with producer Fran Hall (Imagine Dragons, ZAYN), World’s First Cinema achieves a polish that elevates the eclecticism without smoothing over the edges. There’s a meticulous attention to detail in the way each track is layered and sequenced—every moment sounds intentional, as if part of a greater cinematic arc.
World’s First Cinema have crafted more than just an album; Something of Wonder is an event. It’s the type of project that demands your full attention—a start-to-finish listen that’s meant to be felt as much as heard. In a musical landscape saturated with singles and surface-level playlists, this debut stands out for its ambition, emotional depth, and fearless genre blending.
Whether you're drawn in by the pop punk-infused opener, the lush orchestral arrangements, or the exceedingly thoughtful lyricism, there’s something in this album that will linger with you long after the final note. As Fil Thorpe put it, "They want to hear their music to feel like watching a movie for the first time," and with Something of Wonder, they absolutely deliver this.
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