Bristol Rough Trade – 15th August 2022
Dreamy queer synth pop band, Pale Waves, blessed Rough Trade with their divine acoustic set. Short and sweet, playing only 4 songs, they still managed to engage the crowd with their contagious and friendly personalities by having sweet conversations with members of the audience. You could tell that this band means alot to so many people, there was an emotional, deep spiritual connection between band and the crowd. This was enhanced by the intimacy of the stripped back nature of this set.
Each person mesmerised with heart eyes for Heather’s powerful vocals. To compliment Heather’s incredible talent, they also have an eclectic style and they are clearly influential on their fans.
Pale Waves played 3 songs from their newest album ‘Unwanted’ and the title track really stuck out to me. It was very unique to be there for these usually full-energy-guitar-bangers as gorgeously cosy versions of indie pop.
New album “Unwanted” was released last Friday
“Unwanted shines in its ability to produce a pop-punk anthem your ’00s faves wish they could’ve written”
DIY 4*
“Unwanted is the album they have been building up to their entire lives; one perfectly matched for the times and poised to take Pale Waves to new stratospheric levels”
DORK 4*
“Unwanted encompasses the best of what Pale Waves have to offer: an in-vour-face, unapologetic exploration of emotions and the human osuche”
GIGWISE 8/10
PALE WAVES have released their anticipated new album UNWANTED. Available now via Dirty Hit, the band’s third album is a bold statement of reclamation – from the lyrics to the title itself.
Recorded in Los Angeles With producer Zakk Cervini (Blink 182. Modern Baseball, Halsev) Unwanted is 13 tracks or classic pop punk with an edge. Think sum-41 by way or Veruca Salt; all the crunchy guitars and rhvthmic drive or 2000s pop punk with the rage or a 90s rock band.
It is an album that knows exactly what it is. goes all in. and does it well. The band found themselves in a place of greater confidence and happiness, and that comes through in the sound. whether it’s drummer Ciara Doran pushing the ability to keep up the drive behind such robust pop-punk anthems, or Heather
embracing the darker feelings and frustrations she’s only recently been able to exoress. “Before. I didn’t feel ready as a person to be like,
an angry woman and I’m proud of that” she explains
By contrast, Unwanted feels lIke the purgative scream at the end or a years-long inhalation,
“Unwanted is in your face, and that’s exactly what I wanted.”
