by Zelia Bukhari
3/5
Pale Waves’ debut studio album My Mind Makes Noises captures a dark and romantic sensitivity that can be understood internationally, well beyond their native Manchester. The album evokes a nostalgic feeling as the songs revolve around turmoil in relationships, their bittersweet in-betweens and sour endings.
It is easy to empathise with the passion driving the founding members of Pale Waves, guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie and drummer Ciara Doran throughout the album. It is the element that has led them from an honest underground indie-pop band to having the potential of being a massive hit throughout the country.
The album plays as if it were a chronicle, with diary entries spread across the entire record from start to finish. The themes of comprehending love and its many meanings from different perspectives, grasping the intoxicating changes that occur from experiencing such life altering waves of emotion, is gritty and intriguing.
The style of their music has many similarities to that of The 1975’s, whom they opened for on tour in 2017. Matty Healy and George Daniel, of The 1975, have also contributed as producers to their album.
At times, certain songs do get lost within the album: granted that they flow well, they also carry the same dream and goth-pop idea which I personally believe does limit the album as a whole. Songs to definitely check out would be their two singles ‘There’s A Honey’ and ‘Eighteen’. Both are well written, catchy and equipped with everything a classic indie-pop song should possess. Beyond that, the album can result a bit dull – although Pale Waves clearly has the potential to be anything but pale.
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