‘REVIVING THE JOY OF INDIE MUSIC ONE TRACK AT A TIME’ – PALE WAVES SHARE NEW ALBUM ‘SMITTEN’

ALBUM REVIEW | PALE WAVES – SMITTEN By Keira Knox 5/5

Manchester band Pale Waves, have already had an eventful year. Accompanied by the release of several stand-out singles, touring the globe, and multiple festival appearances. 2024 is only going to grow more popular for the four piece following the publication of their most recent album, ‘Smitten.’ ‘Smitten,‘ which was written over a two-year span between the US and the UK, finds the band reminiscing fondly on their Northern heritage. Distinguishing itself from the rebellious pop punk style of the 2022 LP ‘Unwanted,’ this new song boasts jangly alt-pop that sounds straight out of their hometown, vibrant, earwormy hooks, and thwacking snares.

Opening the album, is the previously released single ‘Glasgow’. The track blends elements of modern indie music with sounds reminiscent of The Cure and The Cranberries, promising to take you back to the 90s rock era. The music industry’s desire for an alternative 90s vibe has been fulfilled by ‘Glasgow,’ it is one of those tracks that gets better with every listen thanks to its airy yet powerful sound. ‘Glasgow’ features amazing vocals by Heather Baron-Gracie, who effortlessly executes the incredible caterwauls. Each member is simultaneously exploiting their own strengths on this track.

I adore how Pale Waves combines the bright, exuberant pop components with the darker sounds of indie and punk. ‘Not a Love Song’ perfectly combines the gritty quality of independent music with the lively storyline of a timeless pop melody. It’s my personal favourite off of the album, building up to the anthemic chorus where Baron-Gracie’s vocals are given the space to shine. The influences of 2000’s pop-punk shine through on this track, it feels like a modernised version of a classic Avril Lavigne track.

Ethereal harmonies herald an oasis of tranquilly as ‘Gravity’ begins. Throughout, these harmonies remain constant, coming to life behind their characteristic pop-jangly guitar riffs. The vocals of Heather Baron-Gracie are excellent on this song; they have a Dolores O’Riordan meets Chappell Roan quality, with stunning vocals that retain the upbeat vibe of alt-pop music. Pale Waves are reviving the joy of indie music one track at a time, reverting back to the sound of their past releases, and for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.

Vocally, this album is Heather Baron-Gracie at her very best. Her voice is rich with genuine emotion and passion as she sings these poignant words, capturing the hearts of both committed followers and casual listeners. The track ‘Thinking About You’ is no exception. Her voice is enhanced by the melancholic guitar tones and subdued rhythm beats that surround her. Pale Waves are greatly underappreciated for their ability to blend voices and instrumentals that are so well suited to one another. They don’t receive nearly as much recognition as they should.

Due to ‘Perfume’s’ contagious quality, this song is set to become engraved in the listener’s mind. The infamous 1980s alternative anthems are returning; ‘Perfume’ would sound fantastic with timeless melodies on a John Hughes film soundtrack. The instrumentation on this song is excellent. A passionate track driven by Baron-Gracie’s powerful, expressive vocal range and booming drum sounds. The lyrics and vocals are equally highlighted by the consistent, rich bass tones that form the song’s base.

The album’s speed shifts with ‘Last Train Home.’ In this acoustic ballad, the vocals take centre stage. Baron-Gracie’s incredible vocal range allows her to imbue these heart-breaking words with hurt and emotion. The song ‘Kiss Me Again’ begins with heavy bass notes and builds to an explosive instrumental section. ‘Kiss Me Again’ has Baron-Gracie channelling her inner Alanis Morissette, and the song is full of 90s rock influences. This love song boasts a powerful subject matter and is destined to be performed in front of large, stadium crowds.

Rock music is seized by ‘Miss America’. This album’s seamless blending of several genres results in a variety of sounds that are all distinctly Pale Waves. This song has amazing instrumentals that combine thundering drum beats, racing guitar riffs, and a phenomenal vocal range to create this rock anthem. ‘Hate To Hurt You’ conveys that shoegaze, daydream like aspect of the indie genre. Acoustic strings paired with softer piano notes create an upbeat rhythm intertwined behind these sorrowful lyrics.

‘Seeing Stars’ is fuelled by the incredible drum beats that emanate around these stunning vocals. Each member of the band is given equal opportunity to shine on this album, something that doesn’t occur often within the industry. ‘Imagination’ follows in the same vain, soft guitar chords add to the emotion of the lyrics in the tracks opening. It’s not the strongest song on the album but fits beautifully within the track list.

‘Slow’ is the the album’s longest track, closing the album in style. The relatability of Pale Waves lyrics is commendable, these track’s are certain to appeal to all audiences. It’s athematic track, putting their talents on full display for all to hear. As usual, Heather Baron-Gracie delivers beautiful vocals that are amplified by gorgeous harmonies. With the help of explosive drum beats and guitar chords, the chorus comes alive. It’s the ideal song to round up this fantastic album.

‘Smitten‘ is set for release on Friday 27th September with a variety of vinyl versions including limited merch bundles, signed and personalised editions available on preorder right now!

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