I’m not going to lie, I’ve had an off-again, on-again relationship with Pale Waves. Since a close friend recommended them to me back in 2017, I found their initial sound to be good, but not great. Their earlier singles, such as ‘Television Romance’ and ‘The Tide,’ bore a striking resemblance to tracks by The 1975, but without the avant-garde influences of critically acclaimed, yet commercially niche, artists like Brian Eno. At the time, this wasn’t a bad thing. Sometimes, I just wanted to put my feet up, smoke a bowl of California weed, and listen to the insatiable hooks of lines like “Kiss me hard, like you did from the start” and “We can dance forever and pretend, I wanna I wanna stay till’ the end.”
On Pale Waves’ sophomore album, the band tried to be a bit more serious. In my opinion, this did not work out very well. Pale Waves isn’t afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, but too much influence can be a bit suffocating at times, and in this case, I was drowning. Knowing this, Pale Waves did a quick pivot with their third professional release, “Unwanted,” which ironically, was something I very much wanted at the time of release. Gone were the repetitive Alanis Morissette-influenced clean guitar hooks, and in came the distorted riffs, rich blasting drums, and great vocal hooks that I would consider some of the best in their career. Although the writing was great, it was still hard for me not to hear heavy influences from the likes of All Time Low and Green Day. Two great acts, but it still felt like a byproduct rather than a standalone record from a new artist.
But then, to my amazement, “Smitten” was released on September 27th, and Pale Waves has finally made a Pale Waves album. Rich with unique yet crystal-clear production, hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies, and lyrics that speak from real LGBTQ+ experiences, “Smitten” has been a breath of fresh air for the group and for the genre in general.
Triumphantly, Heather Baron-Gracie sings about being in a same-gender relationship. The lyrics, however, speak profound truths about love in general—from infatuation to deep-rooted heartbreak—making them universally relatable, regardless of one’s sexual orientation.
In ‘Perfume,’ Gracie conveys her vulnerability and openness in the relationship with lines like, ‘Come and see my dreams, my fears, and stay right there.’ She also highlights the mutual affection with, ‘Your perfume on my skin, Can our love just begin? Won’t you let down your guard and walk into my arms?’ While the song’s title references a traditionally feminine beauty product, the lyrics transcend this, using ‘perfume’ as a metaphor for the intimate connection shared between two people. This universal theme of love and closeness is beautifully captured, making the song deeply relatable. And I love that.
Apart from the stronger lyrics and enhanced production techniques, this record features several standout tracks that are absolute bops. Songs like ‘Gravity’ and ‘Kiss Me Again’ boast infectious hooks that linger in my mind, keeping me humming along for hours after listening. This quality is a hallmark of great pop music and is something I deeply value in this genre. The melodies are catchy and memorable, making these tracks not just enjoyable but also impactful. The combination of relatable lyrics and polished production elevates the listening experience, ensuring that these songs resonate on both an emotional and auditory level. It’s this blend of artistry and accessibility that makes the album a true gem in the pop music landscape.
To close the record out, we get the infectious “Slow,” a song that wraps up the album with a rainbow bow. With the familiarly unique vocal harmonies making a reprise and great dynamics that build to a grand chorus, the name itself “Slow” represents what I believe to be the best part of this album. Pale Waves decided to put some serious thought into not just their melodies, but their lyrics as well. They decided to take it slow, in order to create something not only better than their last work, but something that is uniquely theirs. While I’m a bit disappointed that it took them this long to get here, I’m very happy they did.
Worth buying on vinyl