Album Review: Pale Waves - 'Smitten'
Dreamy, beautifully hypnotic and full of stunning tracks, Pale Waves return with their fourth studio album: ‘Smitten’.
The group have built a real name for themselves over the years, mustering up some wowing records along the way. Their last effort, ‘Unwanted’ showed off a big, rocky side of the group, with tracks like ‘Jealousy’ boasting killer riffs that had crowds bouncing.
This time around, the band have combined to revisit some of their earliest sounds and styles, with many of the tracks this time around being infectiously dreamy, filled with chorus and reverb. Topping off the beautiful pieces of music comes the stunning lyricism of Heather Baron-Gracie, who tells stories throughout ‘Smitten’ which many will relate to.
The album kicks off with ‘Glasgow’, one of a series of singles released in the run up to ‘Smitten’. Opening with a riff worthy of The Cure, ‘Glasgow’ is the ultimate way for Pale Waves to reintroduce themselves to their audience.
Immediately salient in the opener is just how compact of a unit the group are. Their sound is so tight, as it is when they perform live. ‘Glasgow’ shows this off brilliantly, with a head-bopping rhythm section making the foundations of the track, with infectious lead guitar added.
The voice of Baron-Gracie tops off a brilliant track that listeners have enjoyed thoroughly since its release as a single. Her ability to tell stories with her stunning voice is second to none. “When I left you in Glasgow, I remember crying all the way home”, sings the vocalist. Her voice swells with emotion, making for a perfect number, full of feeling.
The group have expressed that this time around, they have focussed on freedom with their music, with Baron-Gracie saying: “Smitten is different [from anything else we’ve done] because you can hear the freedom that we all feel- it’s not trying to be anything. We wanted to put that into existence.”
Perhaps the best example of this freedom, and love for what they do, comes in the track immediately following the opener.
‘Not A Love Song’ is the song in question. The lead singer spells out what the early euphoria of relationships can feel like, as she works her way through a verse that is sonically stripped back, being largely vocal.
In its choruses, the song explodes, with beautiful confusion running through the dreamy sounds. Yet again, we hear how tight the group are, with Hugo Silvani’s lead guitar being so salient in this one.
Bass of Charlie Wood and drums of Ciara Doran dictate the pace of the chorus, which is transcended by the beautiful lyricism of Baron-Gracie, who sings the words: “This is not a love song, we don’t end up together. It’s all about what you lost, this is not a love song.”
The track is full of that euphoria, confusion, excitement and everything in between that comes with love.
The record shows off a real vulnerable side of the group, with Baron-Gracie speaking on its origins, saying: “I was reading a lot of sapphic poetry and queer films and just being ultra queer, I feel like that unlocked a lot of my past experiences with women that have been in my life, that I’ve been in relationships with and that I’ve been in love with.”
The vulnerability in the song writing of ‘Smitten’ is brilliant. It makes for such pure, authentic music.
‘Miss America’ shows off this honesty. The track is about Baron-Gracie’s current partner, and her words show her appreciation for their relationship. Her words are straight to the point, making it a beautiful, pure expression of emotion.
This one, sonically, is more pumped up. It holds some of the records fastest-paced sections, with a sound that will be enough to send crowds wild at live shows. Fuzzy guitar riffs play a key role in making the track faster.
The track being home to some of the bigger, rockier sounds on the record makes for excellent listening. The music is the ultimate partner for Baron-Gracie’s lyrics as she belts out the passionate words: “So take me dancing, take me out, paint my body with your mouth, take my tears and dry them out.”
Pale Waves may just be at their best on this record. ‘Smitten’ perfectly showcases the band’s astronomical technical abilities, as well as their effortless chemistry which seems to come so easily for them. In addition to this, the group’s latest record is home to some of the most salient, sincere, and beautiful lyricism.
The track chosen to close things out is the brilliant ‘Slow’. Anthemic sections make this one the ultimate way to conclude a brilliant album. Dreamy guitars and warm rhythm sections come together as Baron-Gracie sings “Am I dreaming?”
The track is stunning. With that, ‘Smitten’ comes to a close.
Pale Waves are at the peak of their powers, and their latest record is proof of that. Some of the band’s best work to date is showcased throughout, and fans of the band will be keen to catch as many of the new tracks at live shows as possible.
Word by Matthew Caslin
