From the very first moment we heard Pale Waves’ debut track, “There’s A Honey,” just over a year ago, we were hooked. Being touted as friends and label mates of The 1975, we were very intrigued and needless to say we have become obsessed. After dazzling us with a fantastic live show opening for their Manchester friends at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden in 2017 – with only one song out, mind you – we just knew these darlings – comprised of Heather Baron-Gracie, Ciara Doran, Hugo Silvani, and Charlie Wood – were onto something special.
Described as “goth pop,” Pale Waves conjure up a mixture of The Cure (“Kiss”) meets Tears For Fears but with a modern indie twist we cannot put our finger on. Perhaps it is a mistake to categorize them as they belong to a genre all their own; their debut EP, All The Things I Never Said a prime example of sparkling dream-pop set to dark lyrical undertones that some critics seem to love to take a bash on. But as we watch those in our field point their ammo at a band so undeserving of vitriol, one has to wonder as to why 80’s nostalgia has become an anecdote to criticism when we all know it just may be the root to all things good in this life. It’s safe to say that Pale Waves executes that notion exceptionally well.
There’s a certain stigma around being vulnerable and self-deprecating, but Heather Baron-Gracie revels in it, making the band’s full-length debut, My Mind Makes Noises, a sort of diary-like admission into her soul. From reminiscing about teenage love (“Eighteen”) to insecurity (“There’s A Honey”) to personal body images issues (“Noises”) there’s no territory left unexplored.
Glittering synth-pop takes flight in “Came In Close” and “Drive” – the latter reminiscent of a 1990’s opening theme to a television drama – while emotions are riding high in “Loveless Girl,” “When Did I Lose It All?” and “She,” delivering some serious early The 1975 vibes that are very much appreciated.
From tales of all types of love – unrequited and beyond – to turning the spectrum all the way around (“Television Romance”) to a heartbreaking take on loss in “Karl (I Wonder What It’s Like To Die)” listeners are dazzled the entire way through, making this debut a confident must-hear.
With the topic of mental health on the rise, it’s inspiring to see so many artists opening up and sharing their truths with an audience ready to share theirs in return; proof that all of our minds make noises…it just takes enough courage to listen.
My Mind Makes Noises is available now here.
