Photo Credit: Kelsi Luck
When vocalist/guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie met drummer Ciara Doran at University in Manchester they formed their own band Creek, but we wonder whether they thought ten years down the line they would be releasing a fourth album under the Pale Waves name. That’s exactly what they have done with Smitten, their most ambitious record to date and one that sees a slight move away from the pop-punk genre that they are well known for. Instead, Smitten leans more to the alternative rock side.
Opening track Glasgow is a personal favourite, most likely because Glasgow is my home city. Drummer Doran commented recently that this song will blow the house down when ir’s played live in the city on 13th October. We agree! The song itself opens with a guitar solo, backed up by a keyboard melody that runs throughout the song and a very addictive chorus sang by Baron-Gracie: “When I left you in Glasgow, I remember crying all the way home.” Unfortunately it’s not a love song as such, more about a break up. Not a Love Song continues in this vein and the vocals are a standout once again, reminding us of The Cranberries‘ early music, while Gravity has been stuck in our head for weeks now. Released as a single in mid-August, the summery vibes emanating from this song will be one of the highlights of our 2024 music memories.
Thinking About You is another early release from Smitten. They make good use of the synth on the track, working delightfully against the guitar work from Baron-Gracie and Hugo Silvani. It has been really difficult to pick out standout tracks from Smitten, every song on the record has it’s own appeal and qualities. Perfume makes it on there, and we were lucky enough to see them play this track live at the Y Not? Festival back at the beginning of August. The 1980s influences can be heard throughout the track with a nod to The Cranberries and The Cure – it’s quickly become a fan’s favourite on streaming platforms.
Elsewhere Last Train Home slows things down a little musically, played almost acoustically allowing the vocals to shine through, while Kiss Me Again sees Baron-Gracie launch into the chorus with: “It’s going nowhere, want attention your touch, oh let’s not think too much”. The band make good use of the synth on Miss America ,alongside a very addictive guitar riff, but once again it’s the vocals that are the standout, with Baron-Gracie’s impressive vocal range on display.
As we move towards the end of the album, Hate To Hurt You shows off the skill repertoire of drummer Ciara Doran, who is also responsible for keyboards, synthesizers and programming. Imagination feels like a musical continuation from previous track Seeing Stars, as The 1975 influences can be heard throughout both tracks. Closing track Slow and is a great finale to an album that is right up there on my list of the best albums of the year, and one we will go back to time and again.
9/10
Standout Tracks: Glasgow, Gravity, Perfume
For Fans Of: The Cranberries, The 1975, Wolf Alice
Written by: Alan Brown
