Signed to Barcelona-based Foehn Records, Spanish newcomers Baywaves somehow weave themselves between Empire of the Sun and Tame Impala with a psych-soaked sound in the form of their new four-track EP, Only For Uz. Formerly a two-piece, the fresh and clean-cut band hold themselves in the way any upcoming band should: with a strong promise of getting themselves known. With an abundance of guitar bursts and catchy pop, their music proves it won’t really be that difficult.
Opening track ‘Time Is Passing U By’ kicks off the handful of songs by travelling the line between psych and pop, peppered with trippy guitar riffs and soothing vocals from frontman David Alonso. The song, like the band’s other releases, provides a slightly mesmerising experience which can’t help but resemble the similar sound of Stockport newcomers Blossoms.
Calling their own sound “hipnopop”, Baywaves’ ‘The Freak Kingdom’ does not disappoint with an upbeat rhythm complimented by frequent guitar riffs from Carlos Sevilla and even more hypnotising vocals from Alonso, making you suddenly think it’s the middle of summer and finding that you’ve accidentally turned the volume up to maximum. With melodies permeating the air, it’s hard to snap out of the rainbow-coloured pop daze once you hit play.
Showcasing the contrast they can create, ‘To The North’ offers a more cool but soothing sound. Existing as the more slow-paced song on the EP, it flows a bit too well into the final and eponymous track of ‘Marsupilami’, drawing the four tracks to a close with a vocal that keeps ringing in your head for a good couple of hours after you finish listening.
Bathing in a lust of synths and psychedelia, the dream-pop voice and instrumental skill combine to make a more than promising band. An atmosphere of 80s synth-pop and vocal captivation pave the way for an undeniable future.
Only For Uz is out now, click here to buy it on iTunes.
Words by Brianna Riley