[REVIEW] Pale Waves – ‘All The Things I Never Said’ EP

Exactly one year to the day since Pale Waves dropped their infectious debut single, “There’s A Honey,” the band has finally unleashed their debut EP, All The Things I Never Said, and needless to say, we are all elated!

Comprised of Heather Baron-Gracie, Ciara Doran, Hugo Silvani, and Charlie Wood, Pale Waves have a youthful innocence about them, reminding listeners of love-related mishaps and the ever-crazed bittersweet moments of having a crush who keeps on sending mixed signals. While these moments are oddly enough better romanticized through song, this collection of songs poignantly captures that youthful innocence where things seem to always be up in the air while the uncertainty eats a soul alive.

After maintaining their mysteriousness after the “There’s A Honey” release, we really didn’t hear much from the band – aside from touring with friends and labelmates The 1975 – until 6 months later when “Television Romance” was released in August. While unfortunately, those two defining tracks aren’t included on the EP, there’s definitely enough self-deprecating sweetness to go around. We just really love that kind of thing.

Opening with “New Year’s Eve,” we’re directly transported to a NYE rager while time stands still for Baron-Gracie as she desperately tries to hold on to whatever sanity she has left before midnight. Visions of a love interest come into play while scenes of party-goers are oblivious to the turmoil going on around them, making a night full of expectations a night to remember, despite the unpleasant outcome.

“The Tide” comes barrelling in like synchronicity, elevating their band name into a blissful, crush-worthy indie-pop dream impossible to get out of your head while “My Obsession” takes on a more heartbreaking vibe. While the track may feel like it is alluding to an unhealthy relationship, Baron-Gracie shared to Billboard that it was actually inspired by her grandparents and how her granddad reacted to the passing of her grandmother, making this moment in the EP stand still, existing all on it’s own while forming a special place in our hearts for our own loved ones who have passed.

Ending our journey on a high note, “Heavenly” definitely lives up to its title as visions of new love dance around in our heads, proving that Pale Waves are here to stay and that this is only the beginning for the “goth-pop” quartet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRNuTvmF8Ik

All The Things I Never Said is available now here.

Tina Roumeliotis

Tina is a freelance writer and the founding editor of The Daily Listening. You'll most likely find her where she finds most of her inspiration: introverting in her bedroom with her music collection and a pair of headphones.

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