Wavves
V

[Kloo, I know that sometimes life's circumstances force us into sweeping judgments, but consider that saying that only idiots never change their minds, and indeed I change mine not very often, but sometimes I do, and maybe in this case you will too. Or are you an idiot?]

Within the realm of cases that do not take into account potential collapses due to hypersensitivity, low blood pressure, or allergies, we can state by induction that weed doesn't cause hangovers, alcohol does, and certain medications as well.

It would be an overstatement to mark Wavves' career starting from the hangover postulate, as those who have followed them from the beginning know that they have experienced alcoholic-pharmaceutical downturns on every record. Even in life: take Nathan Williams' breakdown at Primavera Sound a few years ago.
However, there is a noticeable gap between the records of the stoners and those of sad drunks, and Nathan tells us that this album is the result of a period of "just drinking, straight drinking." We feel you, brother.

Then V isn’t darkly adolescent like Afraid of Heights, but it’s a more mature gloom, especially in the melodies. Yes, mature. Yes, the Wavves. It's as if they realized that the lo-fi, carefree things they did at the start, with falsettos and some surf-like guitar, have been picked up by a lot of clone bands and even profitably. Now they're reasserting themselves, as leaders of the scene, showcasing the talent of those who really know how to write songs, with different moods and for different seasons, yet staying true to themselves. And after a split with Cloud Nothings.

I'm inclined to say that Wavves are succeeding where Weezer never did. Or let's see it this way: Wavves' Blue Album phase is over, and now they're in the Pinkerton phase.
Every song on this album has a chorus that sticks with you, a catchy verse. Still major, but a grungier major than pop. Every piece is a single. Like the pop punk records that used to be made, but better. With surf elements that are hidden and more subtle, but if you pay attention, you can find them just about everywhere.
A few months ago, at its release, I dismissed it; I didn't realize. It was an all-up phase, nothing down. I needed the other Wavves, not these that are maybe just a tad less immediate. A Bukowski-like foolishness: live too much, and there's the bad that you become superficial; but live too much, and the phases of low air with intrinsic clarity arrive. From here, the power of complete reevaluation.

That was the premise. Now track-by-track:

- Heavy Metal Detox: Have I lived too long? Why does my head hurt? I get stuck by getting worse, I'm getting worse WE'RE NOT ALOOOOONE WE'RE NOT ALOOOOONE I BELIEEEEEEEVE WE'RE NOT ALOOOOOONE
10/10

- Way Too Much: THIS CONVERSATION'S GETTING BOOORING, I'VE GIVEN UP AND NOW I'M ON THE GROUND, WAY TOO MUCH
10/10

- Pony: IT GETS BETTEEEEER, IT BETTEEEEER
10/10

- All The Same: I LOST MY JOB TODAY BUT IT'S ALL THE SAAAAAME
10/10

- My Head Hurts: YOU'RE KILLING MEEEEE I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOOW I HOPE YOU KNOOOOW (MY HEAD HUUUURTS)
10/10

- Redlead: I'm broken and insaaaaane, broken and insaaaane ALL MY BREATH LEAKING OOOOOUT LEAKING OOOOOUT
10/10

- Heart Attack: FOR A HEART ATTAAACK HEART ATTAAAACK IT'S A HEART ATTAAAACK
10/10

- Flamezesz: Wasting all your time wasting all your time wasting all your tiiiiiiime wasting all your tiiiiiiime IT'S SUICIDAL HURT THE WAY WE WALK AROUND
10/10

- Wait: 'CAUSE I DON'T WANNA WAIT I DON'T WANNA WAIT YEEEEAH MY WHOLE LIIIIIFE watching you drowning
10/10

- Tarantula: EVERY MORNIIIIING TOXIC WASTE EVERYTHING SUCKS IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR WAY
10/10

- Crybaby: CAN'T BREEEEEEEEEEATHE CAN'T BREEEEEEEEEEEATHE CAN'T BREEEEEEEEEEATHE CAN'T BREATHE CAN'T BREATHE
10/10

Crybaby, especially.