Wavves’ seemingly natural rebellious attitude and resistance to conformity is defiant and delicious. Having signed to Warner Brothers for their previous two LPs, Nathan Williams and band are back with ‘You’re Welcome’, a record that revels in their commitment to writing their own destiny (and melodies).
It delivers affirmation to their fans, demonstrating that Wavves’ music cannot be owned, altered or censored. Composed of a typically carefree, dreamily optimistic demeanour, the album raises a metaphorical middle finger to commercial progress.
“Who am I gonna be? I have no excitement,” Williams sings on the standout Animal. “I feel taken advantage of and empty inside,” he adds. ‘You’re Welcome’ is formatted to play out like a break up album and the spirit of the record feels vitriolic.
But what separates it from previous works is the raw, almost industrial punk production of Dennis Herring, which filters into various songs including the opener, Daisy.
It sets a new precedent for a more anarchic sound, with any signs of growth and a more refined direction swamped by something messy, inspired and undefinable. With this stealth act of rebellion, Wavves have proved themselves to be artists and dreamers first and profiteers last.
I Love You is a triumphant moment for the team. A waltzing, vintage ode to yearning, here the lead guitar and drums intertwine to resonate with depth. The track feels tranquilised, like a hallucination echoing the Beach Boys and warped, acid-tinged effects.
Wavves will their audience to invest in ‘You’re Welcome’, believing it to be a complex work of everyday art that requires understanding and patience. This is a band that does not wish to vacantly entertain crowds with digestible, predictable chords.
Green Eyes reminds us all that life is a gift and everyone deserves to just cut loose every so often. In essence, these musicians remain the same kids who started out in their garage thrashing out songs inspired by getting sent to bed early. We all experience that kind of frustration every so often, that madness at the menial things in life. This album will click ESC on that bad day at work.
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