Where have I been for the last 10 years that I have never heard of Pale Waves?
The minute I put on their 2018 album ‘My Mind Makes Noises, I was instantly caught up in a foggy nostalgic dream and knew I was listing to something powerful. Skip to 7 years later and Pale Waves are preparing for their 4th studio album to drop, ‘Smitten’.
I am in love with this album. At first I was thinking that the sound was nothing new and that I had heard it all before. But Maybe that is why I love it so much? I mean there is so much I can pull out of this album and compare to other songs or bands but its how you compile your inspiration together and what you do with it is the real magic. And Pale Waves have created something very magical here whilst bringing you to a nostalgic 80’s, 90’s part of your mind where everything feels safe and colourful.
My first listen, before reading anything about this band, brought me through many thoughts and many artists. And I was so happy when I read about their inspiration that the artists I was thinking of where exactly what their inspiration was.
Pale Waves have created a soundtrack to life with ‘Smitten’. A flood of musical water has rushed over me and within the sounds of these waves I am hearing all sorts from The Cure to Bruce Springsteen, to the 1975, Alanis Morissette and the beautiful sounds of the absolute Irish Queen, Dolores O‘Riordan.
Upon reading some articles, I seen that lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie has idolised Dolores’s voice, and its very evident, especially in tracks like ‘Perfume’.
I don’t think I have ever heard anything similar to the Cranberries since, well, the Cranberries. So it was an extremely exciting, almost emotional feeling when I first put this song on and a reincarnated O’Riordan came popping out of my headphones. Heather does it so well of course and has a totally unique style to her voice, but I can’t help but visualise the ghost of Delores when listening to Heather. That signature “Yodel” whilst closing off a lyric. I have no doubt that the Limerick Legend would have this album on repeat if she was still with us. Beautiful stuff.
Melodies on songs such as ‘Kiss Me Again’ have a striking resemblance to how Matt Healy constructs his voice. Taking me back to the 2013’s self titled album ‘The 1975’. The 1975 have a tendency to keep a Major feeling to their music, and Pale Waves are striking that balance here too. Sometimes having a minor vibe to their lyrics but the music is 100% major, full of optimism, passion and excitement for life.
The opening track ‘Glasgow’ is pulling me down multiple avenues. If I could describe this track without the listener actually listening to it, it would go like this…
Picture the opening guitar to the song ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ by The Cult. Then once that snare snaps!, we will throw in some chimes that resemble ‘Born To Run’ by Springsteen, and wouldn’t you know, both songs are written in the same key too (EMajor). Along with that beautiful singing style which resembles The Cranberries, the whole thing is then encapsulated in a bubble of a 1975-esque pop scene from a 90’s romcom. I mean, come on? Where else do you find this type of mash within just one song!
What an epic way to get your musical taste buds going from the very beginning.
Pale Waves have for sure dialled in there sounds perfectly, but the one thing I would say that may be letting this album down is the construction of the songs. Each track has a beautiful sound, but I feel like they are overly created for radio play. As in, there is nothing on this album that is surprising me or catching me off guard. Each track feels like it’s going from chorus to verse to chorus to verse and end. Whilst there is nothing totally wrong about this style of writing, I feel like it may hinder them from really throwing out the web and catching potential new fans.
Growth is inevitable with Pale Waves, as seen across their last 3 albums. So I am excited to see what comes next in regards to their song writing, creativity, and exploration into possible new genres. Either way, I would be recommending Smitten to any one who enjoys an adventure through sound, and Pale Waves are on an incredible adventure right now.
With tour dates planned all across the UK (Sadly no Irish dates as of yet) I would urge you to catch a show and join along on this epic tail.
7 out of 10 for this beautiful album.
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Rating: 7 out of 10.‘Smitten’ The 4th studio album from Pale Waves is to be released via Dirty Hit https://palewaves.ffm.to/smitten
Reviewer Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography