The Blue Waves are an indie rock band hailing from Blackpool. Formed in 2013, they cite influences from a range of indie bands and artists including The Stone Roses, Jack White, and The Kooks. They released their debut EP Wild Nights and Break Up Fights last month and it will be interesting to see how the band has channeled their influences into their sound.
The EP opens up with ‘Thunderball’. It is heavily reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys, to the point where singer George Edmondson sounds like a carbon copy of Alex Turner, however his voice is weak and lacks emotion. Although there is an interesting guitar solo in this track, helping it pick up the pace, this doesn’t stop it from being a forgettable dirge. ‘Legit Problem’ on the other hand sounds bigger and contains a strong melodic structure. The layering of guitars enhances this and the track is about the protagonist who is with a girl who cheats on him, and you can feel the passion in Edmondson’s voice, which is refreshing.
The title track is the longest song on the album, bringing the pace down. The lo-fi feel of it sets it apart from their contemporaries, and lyrically it is about the protagonist wanting to stay with a girl despite a messy break up. Edmondson demonstrates this by singing “I’d love to take you back with me / but I know the times we had has its limits” before a brief filter effect is used on the vocals, showcasing the relationship dying away. It’s a nice effect and adds a darker tone to the track.
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‘Raised Right Lip’ again recalls an early Arctic Monkeys B-side, however it contains a lot of energy and there is a grittiness demonstrating the bands raw potential. The final track, ‘Running For Buses’ is catchy, and includes some great songwriting elements. The vibe this track gives off is reminiscent of a 60s pop song thanks to a summery guitar solo and fluid musicianship.
Although Wild Nights and Break Up Fights isn’t perfect, it contains enough material for the band to develop and refine their sound. Fans of Arctic Monkeys and anyone who likes their indie rock on the raw side will enjoy this EP.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos