Pale Waves, the high-energy four-piece band from Manchester are back with their highly anticipated third album, Unwanted.
Once again redefining their sound successfully, Unwanted is jam-packed with captivating pop-punk melodies and riffs that promise to soundtrack the rest of your summer. Lyrically, the band has evolved further, exploring dark themes with more honesty and self-analysis, with an undertone of liberation and defiance. Unwanted signals a band who are discovering their authentic selves and are not afraid to show it off.
The album kicks off with the daydreamy lead single ‘Lies’ that sees frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie reflect on a past toxic relationship. `You called it love, but it never had the feeling // ripped out my heart, and left it bleeding she belts during the extremely catchy hook, underscored by a beautiful repetitive guitar riff. “Fortunately, that person is no longer in my life. Once you’ve done me wrong, you’re gone!” mused Baron-Gracie in a recent interview when asked about the inspiration behind ‘Lies.’ This track is a euphoric opener from Pale Waves and is an independence anthem for those who have left unhappy relationships. The second track ‘Unwanted’ continues on the same lyrical theme, with stomping guitar chords soundtracking Baron-Gracie’s pain as she deals with the effects that arise when treated wrongly.
‘The Hard Way’ strikes a slower, heartfelt tone as it deals with the delicate subject of losing someone you know. “A delicate flower, they took all of your power // and got in your head before you could even bloom” sings Baron-Gracie majestically. “When I was in high school, a girl I knew in high school was bullied and took her life. ‘The Hard Way’ is about my regret for not helping her, or standing up for her, that I feel now as an adult” she comments. The inclusion of this heartfelt, emotive track is a surprise inclusion, but it is one that succeeds and provides a powerful moment on the album.
‘Jealousy’ which BBC Radio One made their Hottest Record Of The Week back in June, is a riotous affair that is unapologetic in its boisterousness. Combining a ’90s grunge sound with early 2000s pop punk, ‘Jealousy’ is a stand-out track, with lyrics that detail envy within a relationship.
Overall, Unwanted marks a breakaway from Pale Waves’ previous easy-going synth-pop albums, with the powerhouses from Manchester moving towards a more alternative and harder sound. Produced by pop punk royalty Zakk Cervini (Blink-182, Modern Basketball) they have made this transition into glamorous pop punk with ease, which is best reflected on track ‘You’re So Vain’ that is dominated by gorgeous distorted guitar riffs and thunderous drum rhythms from Ciara Doran. ‘Clean’ is another song that quenches the thirst for the snappy pop-punk sound. “Is it too soon to say that I’m falling? // I can’t get off of you” sings Baron-Gracie, followed by a chorus of “na-na-nas” which will no doubt cement ‘Clean’ into a singalong fan favourite at future Pale Waves concerts.
‘Act My Age,’ an angsty anti-coming age banger with hair-raising riffs, demonstrates a band who are becoming comfortable with who they are and are flowing with confidence. ‘Reasons To Live,’ which was premiered by Apple New Music Daily, has a bouncy pop punk melody that is contrasted with dark lyrics that are delivered with emotional honesty. Noted to be about “a time when I felt truly drained and incapable of happiness, before finding someone who gave me a reason to live” this is Pale Waves at their most emotionally vulnerable and unfiltered, soundtracked by tuneful hooks.
Pale Waves have often in the past received accusations about their musical style, with some choosing to label them as a band who do not have their own identity. With Unwanted, they brush these accusations aside, combining momentous pop-punk riffs and hooks with lyrics that are brimming with emotional honesty. This is the Mancunian collective at their most confident, with an established sound.
Pale Waves will be touring their new album in record stores across the UK in August, before embarking on a full UK headline tour in November.
Tickets are available here: https://www.palewaves.co.uk/live/
Words by Ester Scott
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