“PALE WAVES MEETS THE CRANBERRIES” | ‘PERFUME’ NEW SINGLE BY PALE WAVES

SINGLE REVIEW | PALE WAVES – PERFUME By Keira Knox

Pale Waves announce their highly anticipated comeback with the release of their fourth album, Smitten, which will be available via Dirty Hit on September 20th. The album’s lead track, ‘Perfume‘, which debuted as the BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record, has also been shared by the band.

‘Perfume‘, is an all-round goth-pop track with major ’80s influences; it is the first taste of the band’s upcoming era. Their brand-new single, that emanates that distinctive Manchester sound, is jam-packed with catchy, upbeat hooks, pounding snares, and a rattling alt-pop sound.

Pale Waves meets The Cranberries in this track; its infectious nature is guaranteed to get this song engraved in our minds. The notorious alternative anthems from the 1980s are making a comeback; ‘Perfume‘ would certainly sound amazing alongside classic songs on a John Hughes movie soundtrack. This tune features vocals by Heather Baron-Gracie that are nothing short of remarkable; they are evocative of Dolores O’Riordan’s distinctive voice, which can be recognised within a millisecond of hearing.

This track is outstanding on the instrumentation. Baron-Gracie’s strong, expressive vocal range, along with thunderous percussion beats, create a track that is rife with passion. The foundation of this song is made up of steady, resonant bass tones that highlight the lyrics and vocals in equal measure. ‘Perfume‘ is guaranteed to become an instant hit given the amazing guitar riffs that showcase Pale Waves unique sound.

The ‘Perfume’ music video, which was released alongside this new track, offers fans a glimpse inside this new chapter in Pale Waves history. The production and directing of this video communicate a sense of Television Romance, which is indicative of the significant 80s influence present in the new tune. With ‘Perfume‘ being the first single released from the new album, Pale Waves have raised the bar significantly for any upcoming releases with this unique sound. This record is destined to be a huge hit.

Speaking about ‘Perfume‘, Heather says: “It’s the perfect introduction into the new world we’ve created. It’s queer, it’s feminine and it’s romantic, and it encapsulates the essence of Smitten.”

Pale Waves are currently touring the United States with PVRIS as part of a full tour support. The group will make a few festival appearances in the UK at Y Not, Kendal Calling, and Neighbourhood.

‘PERFUME’ is OUT NOW!