With lengthy hiatus’ almost becoming a thing of the norm for many nineties groups, reformations don’t quite seem to carry the weight that they ought to. Usually even more lacking in substance are the new releases that come rattling out of these bands; the ten, fifteen or twenty years spent trying to fan the flames of ‘way back when’, often resulting in flat disappointments. More often than not, fans are left agitated as they swim around in material that no longer seems sharp or relevant.
Bearing this in mind, there ought to have been some serious nerves thrown in with the excitement amongst Slowdive’s ever loyal and undying fanbase when they announced last year the upcoming release of new material. Twenty-two years of waiting for a new album can be no easy length of time for those sworn by love into the band’s unique shoegaze wall of sound.
Composed in majority by original songwriter Neil Halstead, ‘Slowdive’ includes all the personnel involved from the band’s beginnings. Drummer Simon Scott returns, having been replaced by Ian McCutcheon for the band’s previous album, 1995’s Pygmalion. In terms of sound, Slowdive picks up where the Pygmalion left off. Completely awash with blissful and dreamy ambience and the signature ‘shoegaze’ jangle that has become synonymous with the band, the album’s opener ‘Slomo’ is ridden with the kind of ‘hair on end’ moments that swamped the band’s earlier releases.
Ever reminiscent of the Cocteau Twins and the work of previous producer Brian Eno, the reverb and delay soaked vocal harmonies between Halstead and co-guitarist Rachael Goswell float perfectly across the top of the soundscape created by the three effects-crazed guitars. It is consistently hard to comprehend that the spiral of sound is created using only stringed instruments, drums and vocal. Only upon seeing the sheer number of pedals at work can you believe that there isn’t an orchestra of synth players hidden somewhere behind the scenes.
Slowdive are an English rock band that formed in Reading, Berkshire in 1989.
The second track, ‘Star Roving’, chosen as the single release from the album, carves a completely new sound into the always evolving palette of the band’s work. Still completely recognisable as Slowdive, Star Roving carries a much harder, riff driven edge. In doing so it quickly turns the album into far more than just a rehashing of old ideas. Early radio play of this track has had our radio turned up loud; it surely jumps to the heights of one of their best releases yet.
The second single release, ‘Sugar for the Pill’, strikes the complete opposite note. Still a brilliant composition, it falls back closer towards the lines of Slowdive’s nineties work. Beautiful drifting melodies suspended by a chugging bassline, tender vocals and delicate guitar work make for a real flashback into the band’s early oeuvre.
Upon first listening to the album, it is hard not to find yourself taken aback by how some of the later tracks seem to have copied some strong elements with more modern synth-pop arrangements. Whilst there can be no denying that these tracks have really brought the band’s sound successfully into the 21st century, it feels like a bit of a surprising move for such an original group. That is only until reflecting on their earlier work, where it becomes totally apparent how easily missed it is that Slowdive completely laid the foundations for this style of music in the first instance. All they are doing here is expanding the sound that they first initiated, back into modern relevance. A gentle reminder perhaps of their underestimation… and all without the use of synthesisers.
The album’s parting shot, ‘Falling Ashes’, holds no question of originality. A rolling number centred around intricate and subtle use of gentle piano, guitar and bass, the track constantly feels on the edge of bursting into something enormous, yet it’s use of suspension and patience ultimately becomes it’s finest asset. The double layered, ‘question and answer’ style vocal of Halstead and Goswell is simply remarkable and really stands to bleed out any emotion that you may have left after such an evoking album. To say that this return to music is a success is a real understatement. ‘Slowdive’ power back in with a seriously in touch and touching album. More than that it becomes an experience in itself.
Footnote: Worth mentioning to any of the audiophiles amongst you that this album provides some properly good hi-fi demo material. It will give any set of headphones or speakers a real run for their money! Just pick a track and hit play!
Author: Joe, York store
