Circa Waves: Never Going Under

The fifth album by Liverpool Indie Legends, Circa Waves is next up for review.

Side A opens with 'Never Going Under' a proper rock stomper, I can see the band opening their live shows with this song too. It's a brilliant introduction, a frantic track, and this nature bleeds into the rest of the record especially Side A. 'Do You Wanna Talk' picks up where the previous effort left off, as well as looking back. It reminds me a lot of the first Circa Waves album 'Young Chaser's' which I mean as a massive compliment, the catchy nature of Circa Waves songs is what made me fall in love with them, and 'Do You Wanna Talk' follows that trend brilliantly. 'Hell on Earth' is the third track on Side A, and sees the band trying to take on the world, it's politically charged, however that doesn't take away from it being a brilliant song. It's not Bob Dylan, or even Paul Weller levels of protest song, but it doesn't need to be, Circa Waves tried something different and in my opinion it worked. 'Your Ghost' is the next track, and really takes up the electronic feel that has been present throughout the album and gives us a chorus to sing, shout, and chant at concerts and festivals for years to come. A true album highlight. 'Carry You Home' is the Side A's penultimate song, a rather touching song that talks about lead singer Kieran Shuddall's insecurities and striving to be the best version of himself, it's a very touching song and one of my favourites the band have ever done. 'Northern Town' ends Side A and it's a song all about home, it's the first time on the album where things are slowed down too, it builds however and I can imagine it being a real crowd pleaser in the bands live show, lyrically it's some of the bands best work to date, and it's 100% my favourite track on this side of the album.

'Electric City' opens Side B which layers acoustic, and electronic elements together and again reminds me of the bands roots more specifically their third album 'What's It Like Over There' again they aren't reinventing the wheel but they aren't trying too. It's a brilliant song about the modern reliance on technology. It's true what they on about. 'Want it all Today' is the next song on Side B which again slows things down, it's almost a ballad, centered around a piano. It allows Kieran's lyrics to be the centerpiece of the song, and again it makes for a welcome change of pace. 'Golden Days' reminds me a lot of Hot Fuss era Killers, with pulsating drums and synths scattered throughout, it's a sound that really suits the band and something I'd love to see them explore more. 'Hold On' is the penultimate song of Side B and the album another very personal track, seeing the band look inward and it feels really intimate, it's very different to the rest of the album but I see that as a good thing. It's a welcome change. Lyrically it's brilliant and the lyrics really come to the forefront of the song, due to the intimate nature of the production. Ending Side B is 'Living in the Grey' a song about life, and the problems we all face, not everything is black and white. Often we are 'Living in the Grey.' The strings used on this track combined with the electronic sound make the verses a dark ominous affair but the choruses, provide a much needed sense of hope.  Its a cliche phrase but in the case of this album they really did save the best until last! 'Living in the Grey' is a song of euphoric resilience by a band who aren't going anywhere!

Thank you for reading x

For Kirsten 💜