Pale Waves’ sophomore album Who Am I? couldn’t be further from the 80s inspired indie pop of their 2018 debut ‘My Mind Makes Noises’.
This album sees the quartet tackle issues of identity and self-love amongst a whole variety of things, drawing together lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie’s life experiences over the last few years. Influences for Who Am I? are blatantly obvious from the get-go, lead single ‘Change’ (also the album’s opener) flaunts vocals and a backing track akin to that of early 2000’s pop princess Avril Lavigne.
The production is unyielding and forceful, ‘Easy’ is another standout track – a faultless piece of romantic pop whilst ‘Tomorrow’ is most notable for Ciara Doran’s drumming and the optimism it provides listeners with.
This album really showcases how much Pale Waves have changed in such a short few years, not just in sound but in themselves too. Just as the title would suggest, identity is the main focus. ‘She’s My Religion’ sees Baron-Gracie use female pronouns in a romantic context for the first time in Pale Waves’ discography. It’s a big step but an extremely vital one.
‘You Don’t Own Me’ is a dig at the patriarchy, and rightly so too. The entire track is catchy whilst still managing to capture the important message behind it.
There’s complete authenticity in each and every track, it’s unfiltered and clearly from the heart. The last half of the album deals with some heavier subject matter, ‘I Just Needed You’ is a catchy tune about relying on a partner to find happiness, meanwhile acoustic ‘Odd Ones Out’ is a ballad about sticking out in society.
The album immediately picks back up in ‘Run To’ which is a complete burst of energy that explores mental health issues and the struggles that come with them.
Closer, the self-title ‘Who Am I?’ encompasses everything Who Am I? is about and brings it full circle in a completely stunning piano-led fashion, it allows listeners to have an extremely personal look into Baron-Gracie’s struggle to accept herself and her identity – it’s no doubt one of the tracks on the album that the bands fanbase will be able to relate to most.
‘Who Am I?’ is out now via Dirty Hit.
