“Here we go again, dancing in the dust.“
While many, including myself, have placed Graywave under the ever prevalent and widening banner of ‘shoegaze‘, their evolution over the years has made it increasingly difficult to pigeon-hole the band to such a reductive label. Given the recent trend of acts revitalizing the shoegaze sound for a new generation, fueled in large part by its sudden surge of popularity on TikTok, it would perhaps prove smart to begin broadening one’s palette as not to get lost in the weeds of the trend, so to speak, and to distinguish one’s self from the herd. This is exactly what Graywave have achieved with their latest outing, Dancing in the Dust.
There had always been a brooding sense to the soundscape that Graywave put forward, that were more so introduced previous EP Rebirth, and have once again reared their head from even the earliest moments on Dancing in the Dust, as it rumbles awake with “Falling Apart“. This particularly dense soundscape, that many acts such as Loathe, Knocked Loose and Moodring in recent memory have indulged in further, cements itself too on “Blur Into One“. What’s perhaps most impressive, is that while the angle in which the aforementioned bands apply this dense soundscape proves more industrialized, Graywave instead lean into the supernal; the sublime, and provide an encapsulating world of sound to get lost in.
Dancing in the Dust does ground itself a tad on “Dark Spell“, as menacing, paced riffs and grooves move their way into view, commanded by Webberley’s vocals. As the tone ascends during its chorus, as a wall of verb-drenched noise engulfs the listener, there is an unsettling sense to the sound, that at times proves akin to the work of acts like Chelsea Wolfe. “Undone” furthers this notion, as the tension is built in spades across its earliest moments and verses, before providing an explosive and ultimately satisfying release with a gorgeous chorus, led by Webberley‘s cleans. The serenity on display within Webberley‘s delivery here is later juxtaposed, however, with the gritted-teeth delivery of “You know I’m not like you is delivered“, that provide the song with a contrasting bite.
Lead single “Cycle” further cements the idea that Graywave are more than an apt hand of their darkened take on heavy, haunting shoegaze. Yet, it’s on closer and title track, “Dancing in the Dust“, that sees the EP shift into something truly special. Ushering back in the layered synth work that briefly reared its head toward the final moments of “Dark Spell“, even early on there is an undeniable swagger the track oozes with its toe-tapping pace, eventually erupting yet again as it moves into its chorus. A juicy high-hat lead groove from Jenkins, eventually shifting into a heavier and more primal rhythm further reinforces the chorus’ strength, with the vocals and riffs further elevating its enthralling nature. The catchiness of “Dancing in the Dust“, too, makes for a track that, beyond simply being a stellar closer, could see itself become the impetus of Graywave gaining a wider audience. However, its enchanting manner does prove its most effective after a front-to-back listen of Dancing in the Dust, as it acts as a moment of true catharsis.
With Graywave it does always feel like a ‘when‘, rather than ‘if’ they could be a bigger act, especially given the promise shown on Rebirth, and what is now further cemented on Dancing in the Dust. Its broad range of influences will hopefully catch the ears of many, as Dancing in the Dust should be a staple listen for those who even remotely dabble in the steadily broadening worlds of shoegaze, post-rock, and the many atmosphere-laden subgenres that surround them.
8.5/10
Dancing in the Dust is out May 31st via Church Road Records and can be pre-ordered here.