Pale Waves release provocative and raw new LP Unwanted

Pale Waves have returned with their fierce and deeply moving new album Unwanted, released on 12 August 2022 via Dirty Hit. Though shadowy subject matter is present throughout the album’s 13 tracks, it’s safe to say Unwanted is a record that we’ve never yearned more for a piece of. We’ve been dying to indulge in some darkness and brooding to battle the blinding summer sun lately…

The band’s latest musical venture sees the quartet shining a light on vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie’s troubles with: vanity, anger, jealousy and hopelessness. The group have moved towards a more emphasised alternative sound on this release, pulling away from the indie and synth-pop world that they started out in. ‘The Hard Way,’ Baron-Gracie’s favourite song on the album, documents her battle with loss and the struggle for acceptance that comes with it:

“When I was in high school a girl who was being bullied took her own life,” Heather divulged. “I got on the bus with her every single morning, and I would see her sitting in her same spot. She sat downstairs and I would go upstairs. The Hard Way is about my regret for not helping her, or standing up for her, that I feel now as an adult. As a kid, you’re so shy and afraid, but I hope it will influence people to stand up for those who need help, and help people understand that their words and actions can be really damaging. You don’t know how cruel you can be sometimes, especially at that age.”

Unwanted is a hodgepodge of dirty and clean, of hard-hitting lyrics like a kick in the gut and crunchy guitars married with crisp production and a raw, gleaming beauty which organically unveils itself from the work’s vulnerability.

A feast of classic pop punk amalgamated with a sharp, signature bite; Pale Waves have certainly delivered on this latest record, parading their craftsmanship and creating an album that stirs and rouses parts of your soul that have been dormant for far too long.

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The band are currently celebrating the release of Unwanted with a run of UK instores. This experience is a flavourful appetiser of what’s to come, where the group will be embarking on their biggest headline tour to date across the UK in November. Beginning with a hometown date at Manchester Albert Hall, the tour will culminate with a show at London O2 Brixton Academy. Tickets are available to purchase here.

AUGUST

Mon        15             BRISTOL                                     Rough Trade

Tue           16             NOTTINGHAM                        Rough Trade

Wed         17             NEWCASTLE                             HMV Records

Wed         17             NEWCASTLE                             Live at Central

Thu          18             LEEDS                                          Vinyl Whistle

Fri             26             LEEDS                                          Festival

Sun           28             READING                                   Festival

OCTOBER

Sat            15             LEEDS                                          Live at Leeds

NOVEMBER

Fri             25             MANCHESTER                         Albert Hall

Sat            26             LIVERPOOL                               O2 Academy

Sun           27             GLASGOW                                Barrowland

Mon        28             DUNDEE                                     Fat Sam’s

Wed         30             LONDON                                   O2 Brixton Academy

Unwanted is available to stream on all major platforms now.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Lies
2. Unwanted
3. The Hard Way
4. Jealousy
5. Alone
6. Clean
7. Without You
8. Only Problem
9. You’re So Vein
10. Reasons To Live
11. Numb
12. Act My Age
13. So Sick (Of Missing You)