By Last Wednesday, Canadian indie-pop band Alvvays finally introduced their sophomore album ‘Antisocialites’ with the lead single ‘In Undertow’. The new album will be released on September 8th as a follow-up to their 2014 self-titled debut album, and as the perfectly timed end-of-summer soundtrack.
‘In Undertow’ maintains the shoegaze-y, dream-pop style Alvvays carried through their debut album, and retains the fuzzy and sugary elements of melody and Molly Rankin’s vocals that distinguish their music from other summery, indie-pop.
Lyrically, ‘In Undertow’ preserves the use of motif that Alvvays has throughout their discography. Reminiscent of the ‘take me sailing out on the Atlantic; I won’t set my sights on other seas, there is no need to panic’ metaphor in ‘Archie, Marry Me’, Alvvays keeps up the sea imagery in In Undertow: the sea motif undercurrents the song from the title to the melody, reflecting the turbulence of the break-up song.
Although Alvvays’ music sounds as though it’s taking place in a dream, their lyrics are explicity real – and ‘In Undertow’ is no exception. The single is level-headed whilst being equally charming, with lyrics of deadpan clarity: ‘‘What’s left for you and me?’ I ask that question rhetorically.’
If you’re looking for a band that sounds like the indie summer you’ve always dreamed of, Alvvays perfectly fits the bill.
Alvvays will be touring the UK later this year as part of a world tour. Starting on August 26th in Leeds, the UK leg of the tour will conclude in Bristol on September 9th.
