In the storied annals of shoegaze, Slowdive continues to craft ethereal symphonies that reverberate with both the echoes of past triumphs and the promise of unexplored frontiers. Their new album, ‘everything is alive,’ slated for release on September 1st through Dead Oceans, encapsulates this dichotomy. After a gap of six years following their 2017 self-titled comeback album, the anticipation surrounding this new release is rife with intrigue and excitement.
Despite the momentous personal losses experienced by band members Rachel Goswell and Simon Scott, ‘everything is alive‘ refuses to be encumbered by the heaviness of grief. The loss of Goswell’s mother and Scott’s father in 2020 certainly impacted the band, yet they chose to construct a narrative around these life-altering events that does not dwell in the shadow of melancholy. The lead single ‘kisses,’ alludes to the excitement of new romance and the willingness to dive into the unknown. Neil Halstead, the voice behind the lyrics, ensures this optimism isn’t lost, commenting, “It wouldn’t feel right to make a really dark record right now.”
Initially envisaged as a more minimal electronic record by Halstead, the quintessential Slowdive sound of lush, reverb-laden guitars won over the band’s initial flirtations with modular synths. The resulting blend imbues the album with the well-established Slowdive vibe while retaining a flavor of the initial electronic experimentations. ‘everything is alive,’ in essence, is a testament to the collective decision-making and harmony within the band, a confluence of different musical directions converging into their celebrated sound.
Embodying a range of emotions from psychedelic explorations to pulsating 80s-inspired electronic elements, ‘everything is alive’ bears the hallmark of Slowdive‘s continued relevance to both old fans and the increasingly younger audience finding solace in their music. While the shoegaze genre often requires introspective listening, Slowdive‘s mastery manifests in their ability to transcend these confines and present an album that feels as cathartic and emotionally resonant as it does optimistic.
Throughout their journey, Slowdive has consistently demonstrated their ability to create timeless soundscapes. ‘everything is alive’ sees the band continuing this tradition, evolving their unique sonic blend while acknowledging their past. It’s an album that confronts personal loss and transformative experiences, simultaneously offering an uplifting message that life, in all its diverse manifestations, remains vibrantly alive.
Slowdive are about to embark on a transatlantic voyage, thrilling fans across the UK, Ireland, USA, and Canada this fall with their transcendent sounds. The hype train leaves the station on June 23rd, with tickets going live at 10am local time.
The UK and Ireland leg of the tour starts in Glasgow on October 30th at the QMU and continues on through some of the most iconic venues across the British Isles. The final gig on this epic journey will be at Dublin’s National Stadium on November 6th.
September 23: Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
September 25: Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues Boston
September 27: NYC, NY – Webster Hall
September 28: NYC, NY – Webster Hall
September 29: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
September 30: Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
October 2: Cleveland, OH – The Roxy @ Mahall’s
October 3: Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
October 4: St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
October 6: Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
October 7: Salt Lake City, UT – The Union
October 9: Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
October 10: Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
October 12: San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
October 14: Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
Oct 30 – Glasgow, UK – QMU
Oct 31 – Manchester, UK – 02 Ritz
Nov 1 – Bristol, UK – SWX
Nov 3 – London, UK – The Troxy
Nov 5 – Belfast, UK – Mandela Hall
Nov 6 – Dublin, Eire – National Stadium
