If you’ve been anywhere near my playlists lately, you know I’ve been absolutely buzzing about Pale Waves’ latest album, Smitten. Let me tell you, this record is everything you didn’t know you needed— a perfect blend of their roots and daring new ventures that makes my heart beat just a little bit faster during those 40 minutes. It’s a cocktail of feelings that hits you right in the gut and leaves you contemplating your own journey.
From the moment you hit play, Smitten sweeps you into a world where rebellious pop-punk vibes meet fresh alt-rock grooves. It’s like they’ve bottled the essence of nostalgia and sprayed it all over modern soundscapes. Some might say they’re revisiting old haunts, others feel they’re charting unexplored territories… Me? I think they’re doing both – because both is always good – and it’s freaking brilliant.
This album takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that mirrors the ups and downs we’ve all felt. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s OH-SO-relatable. Pale Waves have crafted something that doesn’t just resonate – it whispers all its truth directly into your ear.
You dive headfirst into the messy, beautiful chaos of relationships. Tracks like Not A Love Song kick things off with a fast-paced, infectious energy that captures that dizzying feeling of losing yourself in someone else. Then there’s Miss America, a raw, intimate ode that peels back the layers of Heather’s own love story, showing us how two people can heal each other’s deepest wounds.
What floors me is how they’ve managed to stay true to their guitar-driven essence while experimenting with new sounds and lyrical depth. Perfume is a standout—it echoes the infectious melodies of The Cranberries while weaving in that timeless touch from bands like The Cure. It’s familiar yet entirely fresh, a balance that is hard to strike without falling for sentimentalism, but they’ve nailed it.
And let’s get real for a second. It’s not just an album, it’s a heartfelt confession. Filter free. No holds barred and nothing left unsaid. Navigating sexuality and relationships isn’t exactly an easy exercise without falling into the cringe territory but songs like Gravity and Slow lay it all bare—the mistakes, the mess-ups, the beautiful confusion of figuring it all out – with a sincerity that hits you right in the gut. They’re not just singing about love and heartbreak though, they’re inviting us into that journey of self-discovery.
Our brits have left no stone unturned, pouring every ounce of freedom and self-expression into these twelve tracks.If you’ve been searching for an album that feels like a heart-to-heart with an old friend while simultaneously igniting that spark of musical rebellion, Pale Waves’ Smitten can well be your next obsession.
Trust me, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss. And who knows? You might just find a piece of yourself in the echoes of their chords – and maybe end up smitten? (you know I had to).
