Pale Waves’ new songs on “Smitten” are full of cozy vibes

Rock band Pale Waves has released a new album Smitten featuring a song titled “Gravity” inspired by lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie’s experience with dating a woman who ultimately chose to embrace her religion as opposed to owning her true sexuality. This led to Heather feeling heartbroken over the situation, which led to her turning her pain into art.

“Gravity” has shown how damaging the negative effects of religion are and how it can cause unnecessary turmoil. The hardship of pushing someone away who loves you out of irrelevant fear can cause pain internally and for those around us.

“Gravity” features a nice mellow rock vibe. A lot of queer people will be able to relate to the pain Heather sings about. The new single perfectly captures, in a touching way, the confusion that can come with the truth of being so proud of your queerness while someone you are into is filled with fear about it.

The single is the perfect taste of what is on Smitten. The band worked with producer Iain Berryman to achieve their desired sound. Iain’s work includes credits with the famous band Florence and the Machine. The songs on this project include themes of love, finding yourself, and sexuality, all such poignant topics that they are known to explore through their lyrics touchingly. This new project also features elements from all of their previous albums, but also offers something brand new for listeners.

“Gravity” showcases the heartfelt energy Pale Waves is known for and will continue to establish them as a rock band that can create inspiring tunes. This new song is the perfect tune full of cozy vibes that feel like it was made to be played while sitting next to a fireplace on a cold day.

This 12-track album is a group of songs that showcase all the elements that come with love. From “Gravity” to the more pop-sounding and uplifting vibes of “Seeing Stars”, Smitten is a project that captures all the highs and lows that come with being a human and experiencing joy and heartbreak. 

To go with the release of this new album, they also put out a another single for promotion. “Kiss Me Again” is one of the more fun tracks that captures the joy of letting go and falling into someone, even if it is more just a one-night thing. While still having their signature mellow rock sound, this one may also be able to cross over and reach some pop fans given the carefree and simple nature it carries. “Kiss Me Again” shows the more playful side of the band and what a great choice it is for this to be the next single. The energy and lyrics of this song really can capture something many people can relate to.

Throughout all the songs, lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie breathes so much life into these melodies. She can embody the feelings of happiness and sadness in such a poignant way. It carries an emotion that allows the listener to take on whatever feeling the track is trying to capture. The production and vocals come together here to create an emotional experience that is meant to tug at the listeners’ heartstrings.

“Thinking About You” is a chill rock song that is a highlight of the project. The lyrics are full of longing and heartbreak, but the production featuring the restrained drums and relaxed guitar adds a cozy element that makes this a feel good track. It never leans into depressing territory, but instead is a moving tune that makes you ponder about life.

“Thinking About You” embodies a lot of what this project represents. It is a heartfelt, honest, easy-listening song, that is bound to make you feel deep emotion. The themes covered are all elements of real life. They do not shy away from encapsulating the pain that we all have felt. There are no escapist, colorful pop bangers here, but instead truthful lyrics that cover themes of moving on, growing up, finding your authentic whole self, and embracing queerness.

The album’s production was handled by Iain Berryman who has worked with other rock acts such as Wolf Alice and Florence and the Machine. Be sure to check out Pale Waves “Thinking About You” and the entire Smitten album now.