Song of the Week: Slowdive Return with the Enchanting “kisses”

Paolo Ragusa and Consequence Staff

June 23, 2023 at 3:03 PM·5 min read

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The post Song of the Week: Slowdive Return with the Enchanting “kisses” appeared first on Consequence.

Song of the Week delves into the fresh songs we just can’t get out of our heads. Find these tracks and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Slowdive return with “kisses,” their first new song in six years.

Six years after their grand return — their excellent 2017 self-titled album — Slowdive are back again for more. “kisses” is the first single off the shoegaze giants’ forthcoming album, everything is alive, and a blissful reintroduction to what they do best.

From the moment the groove begins and the band’s signature guitar tone sets in, it’s clear just how much influence they’ve had over the years — as Gen Z, Spotify, and TikTok have embraced a vibes-forward policy to counter the chaos of the outside world, Slowdive’s dreamy, sedative sounds have been recycled by dozens of indie bands, bedroom pop producers, and even top 40 stars. Shoegaze has evolved from a niche subgenre to an atmospheric sensibility suitable for any style of music.

But Slowdive are more than just hazy guitars and dreamy melodies; they’re also more than merely music to play when you are sad or stoned. Slowdive can create an entire atmosphere in one strum of a guitar, or in one shared note between vocalists Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell. They let their own songs envelop them, the reverb so thick that when the band is in full force, elements wash in and out of focus like windshield wipers.

On “kisses,” the band roots their sound in yet another simple-but-evocative four chord melody, with much of the track’s awe arriving in vibrant guitars and tenderness coming in Halstead and Goswell’s vocals. Where their spellbinding self-titled captured the band almost in black and white, “kisses” lets the sunlight in, and colors begin to slowly take shape as the song unfolds.

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The making of their new album was marked by a period of sadness and loss (particularly the loss of Goswell’s mother and drummer Simon Scott’s father), and Goswell describes the album as depicting a “crossroads.” However, in spite of their strife, Halstead noted in a statement that everything is alive is a more “hopeful” record, and “kisses” makes that clear — though there’s a thread of uncertainty that winds through the instrumentation, Halstead and Goswell croon in romantic unison, landing on the wind-swept image of “Kisses/Born desert sun.”

Similar to Slowdive classics “Allison” or “Star Roving,” it’s a treat to hear the band bask in strong, active emotions, the resolution of their chord structures mirroring darkness turning to light. For a band that began over 30 years ago and went on to pioneer an entire genre, it’s remarkable that they keep getting better.

— Paolo Ragusa
Associate Editor

Honorable Mentions

Lewis OfMan, Empress Of – “Highway”

French producer Lewis OfMan has teamed up with Empress Of for “Highway,” a decadent summer odyssey that beckons you straight to the Mediterranean. Lewis’ psych rock flair adds a bit of bite to the track, but Empress Of’s dreamy, delicate melodies match each chord change like the perfect puzzle piece. “Highway,” with its ever-present acoustic guitar strums, is also a more naturalistic turn from Lewis OfMan, who is currently in the midst of his biggest year yet. For the best results, pair “Highway” with some Pinot Grigio, summer sunshine, and a dancing partner who’s not afraid to tango. — P.R.

Asake – “Basquiat”

Irresistibly summery, this cut off Asake’s wonderful sophomore album is the most transportive track of the week. The Nigerian recording artist invites us into another world on “Basquiat,” and it’s one that’s a lot more rhythmic, sparkly, and warm than our everyday lives might have to offer. While Work of Art is worth exploring as a whole, this song (and its new music video) are a real standout. — Mary Siroky

Briston Maroney – “Sunburn Fades”

Briston Maroney tells stories that feel personal without posturing. “Sunburn Fades,” which arrives ahead of a new album slated for September, is an example of the minimalist, home-spun sound the artist is continuing to craft, and the acoustic version of the track is a particularly good way to approach the song. “I need you here to kill this fear that when the sunburn fades we’ll all forget this,” he sings, backed just by a cello and his own guitar. — M. Siroky

Sprain – “Man Proposes, God Disposes”

Last we heard from Sprain, it was 2020’s As Lost Through Collision, an exciting proof of concept for their mix of slowcore, post-rock, and post-hardcore. And while their latest single, “Man Proposes, God Disposes,” retains their obvious admiration for acts like Slint, Duster, and Unwound, never before has the band sounded so unhinged. The seven-minute avant-rock odyssey runs the gamut from beautifully orchestrated stings to post-punk ramblings, noisy climaxes to full-on silence — it’s a mix fans of Flenser label-mate Mamaleek are sure to appreciate. Given that there are songs on their upcoming album, The Lamb as Effigy, that exceed 24 minutes, there’s no indication that Sprain is about to become any more predictable. — Jonah Krueger

M.A.G.S. – “Destroyer”

The title track to M.A.G.S’ upcoming LP Destroyer opens with wailing guitar feedback and a pretty banging riff, leading first-time listeners to perhaps expect that they’re about to hear a blood-pumping, hardcore ripper. Instead, M.A.G.S pairs the post-hardcore backdrop with sweeter-than-honey melodies and melancholic chords. The result is a lovely mix of punk and pop (though, notably distinct from full-blown pop-punk). It’s musical Chicago-style popcorn mix, the rock version of dipping fries into a milkshake, and it’s oh-so delectable. — J.K.

Father – “Oxenfree”

Ahead of his newest EP HU$BAND 2, Atlanta rapper Father saw fit to drop the low-key, cheeky-as-hell single “Oxenfree.” Short and sweet, Father sounds like he’s having an absolute ball strutting over the minimalist, piano-centric beat. From the forced laughter to the whispered verse to the “Somebody been smoking and drinking” intro, it’s hard not to hear the wide smile that must have been on the rapper’s face when he laid down his bars. Luckily, that smile is wildly contagious. — J.K.