Slowdive, Souvlaki

Posted on 2nd Apr 10 by Ricky Sweeney | 1

Ah, Souvlaki. This life-changing slab of beautiful music, that has dominated my music charts week after week since I first listened to it. Sometimes, I think listening to this album replaces breathing on my short list of necessary life functions. In case you haven’t guessed already, the rest of this review will consist entirely of me praising the album. However, the only complaint I have is that having experienced this, almost nothing else will stack up, including Slowdive‘s other albums.

Slowdive, Souvlaki

For those not familiar with the intricacies of the genre, shoegaze is a branch of alternative rock that experienced a vibrant but short-lived explosion of growth from the late 1980s to early 1990s. It was characterised by dense layers of guitars, often heavy with fuzzed-out distortion and drenched in reverb, marked by the most extensive use of effects pedals this side of psychedelic rock. Vocals were quite dreamy and rather than standing as the primary focus of the music, tend to be relatively subdued and melt into the lush melodies of the songs.

This album represents everything the genre has done right, and the pinnacle of its depth and grandeur. This is – and will remain for as long as I can forsee – my favourite shoegazing album, even ahead of My Bloody Valentine‘s legendary Loveless. Its atmosphere, production, and captivating, irresistible charm are unmatched.

The dreamy, ethereal vocals are provided by Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell, both of whom also provide the majestic guitars. Together, the vocal harmonies are beautiful; on his own Halstead provides subdued, gentle vocals while Goswell shows off her talent in creating astounding angelic melodies.

Of course, the vocals are just one in a list of dependent factors which when combined comprise a truly breathtaking experience. Every minute detail is pulled off with such expertise and obsessive perfectionism that you wonder if it took any effort at all, or did the band just hook up a mixing desk to their brains while they slept. The guitars are both soft and dramatic; layers of reverb emanate from lush, textured guitars that weave in and out of gentle basslines that bob up and down in an ocean of lush atmospherics.

Equal praise must be given to the keyboards; majestic, and spacious, the many synths and miscellaneous electronics only enhance the experience, which is dependent on a synergy of all the instruments rather than dominance of any one in particular.

The music here succeeds absolutely in creating a completely immersive ambience that completely envelops the listener. Its gentle tendrils wrap around you and soothes your tender heart as you drift off into peaceful slumber – and as you fall asleep you wonder if you’re really waking up. Not to worry, weary traveller, everything’s going to be alright. Souvlaki‘s here.

Drop-d Rating 10/10

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Tags: my bloody valentine, Neil Halstead, Rachel Goswell, Slowdive, Souvlaki