“I’m not perfect, but I’m harder to break.”
Do you ever get nostalgic for those classic prom slow-dance scenes at the end of your favorite 2000s coming-of-age movies? Are you into that late 80s-early 90s sparkly, synth-filled dream pop, brimming with romance—or the heartbreak of it? If so, Smitten is your album.
In a way, Pale Waves are the queer counterpart to The 1975, just with a particular affinity for The Cranberries. They’re a Dirty Hit band, through and through, but they’ve carved out their own space with a number of bangers, like “Television Romance” and “Red”. However, when it comes to Who Am I? and especially Unwanted, the band lost what made My Mind Makes Noises special. The group dampened their unmistakably bright, alternative dance-pop sound, in favour of a bland pop-punk edge. I found that shift disappointing as part of what made Pale Waves so exciting was their dancy, CHVRCHES-adjacent style. This trend in their music is what had me concerned about my interest in Smitten, but upon hearing those opening vocalizations on “Perfume”, those worries melted away.
“Perfume” is the song I didn’t know I needed from them. It’s a simple, feel-good love tune that – like its influences – shines a spotlight on Heather Baron-Gracie’s remarkable voice. This song, like a lot of this album, pays clear homage to The Cranberries, especially due to Heather’s vocal style, but still manages to be uniquely Pale Waves. The transcendent guitar solo in the bridge and Heather’s sincere lyricism create a heartwarming lead single.
Among the singles, “Thinking About You” has got to be the best. The way this track opens, dropping into their full instrumental range, is enough to make one swoon before Heather even sings. This song is fully dreamlike, with lyrics that evoke a strong longing, whether or not you’ve experienced what she’s describing. The outro feels triumphant in the progression of her voice, yet lyrically desperate. That juxtaposition is an excellent way to pull at the heartstrings. While I initially craved a final chorus, the unresolved ending – marked by the lingering question, “Do you think about me at all?” – is perfect, whether intentional or not.
The track “Miss America” merges Smitten‘s yearning pop with the pop-rock instrumentation of Unwanted. Its chorus reminds me of something Maggie Lindemann might have crafted, though with a softer edge. While I wasn’t a big fan of Unwanted, this song may be my favourite Pale Waves track to date. There is not a single flaw on this track to me, and while there isn’t really a bridge, I really appreciate the build on this song. The B-side of the second verse and the extended final chorus feature both Heather’s best melodic and vocal work on the entire project. This track alone makes me want to see them live, but there are many songs on this album that I believe would thrive in that live setting, including “Glasgow” and “Kiss Me Again”.
“Not a Love Song” is one that leaves me conflicted. On one hand, it boasts one of their catchiest choruses, with hilariously tongue-in-cheek, ‘fuck you’ writing. On the other hand, the short and melodically repetitive verses hold it back. Doing something different in that aspect, like what was done on “Miss America”, or at least extending the verses without continuing the same melody, would have benefited the song tremendously. There was a lot to work with, both in concept and sonically, but the track feels almost half-baked as it wasn’t fully realized in those ways.
While there’s plenty to praise about Smitten, some of its strengths also contribute to its weaknesses. Several tracks feel too short, often missing bridges or final choruses that could give them a more satisfying finish. Due to this shortcoming, many of these songs blur together, and although there isn’t a ‘bad’ track, there also isn’t much to obsess over.
In retrospect, this sound works extremely well for Pale Waves. They don’t need to stray away from it, but experimenting outside of a standard verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure would benefit them greatly. In the same breath, this album is incredibly cohesive and I can’t imagine anyone disliking it. It’s pretty, it’s widely relatable, and it’s a great comeback from the misstep of the last record. There’s definitely something for everyone on this album, with a song for almost every kind of romantic relationship one could have. I’m content with this project and optimistic about their future – hoping for a little more creativity and evolution next time around.
7/10
Smitten is out this Friday, September 27th via Dirty Hit.