No matter what challenges life presents – be it love, loss, heartbreak, or death – you can count on Circa Waves to consistently deliver indie-rock anthems. They discovered their musical identity early in their journey and have stayed true to it for over ten years, utilizing their bright, lively melodies to reflect their life experiences.
Their eighth studio album, ‘Death & Love pt. 2’, maintains this trend. Following a life-threatening heart condition diagnosis, frontman Kieran Shudall was motivated to craft this two-part album as a way to process this difficult period. Shudall expressed that if this were to be his final record, he “just wanted to create loads of energetic indie tracks! It might be less profound, but it’s far more enjoyable.”
Sticking to their familiar sound, Circa Waves has released nine additional songs that, when combined with ‘Death & Love pt.1’, create an 18-track album. The first single from part two, ‘CherryBomb’, immediately immerses listeners into Circa Waves’ sonic landscape with its laid-back instrumentation, vibrant riffs, and catchy choruses. It’s Shudall’s heartfelt tribute to his devoted wife, describing her as “my cherry bomb, ready to take on anyone…”
‘Lost In The Fire’ captures Shudall’s unexpected encounter with mortality, where he sings, “I took one look at the river of Styx and decided not to die.” The lyrics are candid and straightforward, delivered with a sense of introspection and accompanied by gritty guitars and explosive drums, reflecting Shudall’s newfound realization that “we’ll soon be gone, dust in the muck and mire.”
Tracks like ‘Stick Around’ and ‘Sunbeams’ showcase the sweet, summery vibes Circa Waves is known for, featuring infectious, anthemic choruses and Strokes-inspired bouncy guitar riffs. These songs highlight their ability to create festival-worthy tunes, perfect for enjoying under the sun with a pint of lukewarm cider.
While they excel at crafting indie hits, Circa Waves also shine in the realm of emotive acoustic songs. As time passes, the themes of these poignant tracks have shifted from romantic relationships to the joys of parenthood. ‘Sweet, Simple Thing’ stands out on the album, with Shudall’s gentle vocals backed by strings, transforming the chaos of parenting into something beautiful – “I see an apple half eaten on the table / fingerprints on the TV screen / only some of us get to see what true love means.”
Over the last ten years, audiences have grown alongside Circa Waves, navigating the spectrum of life experiences from early adulthood into their thirties, tackling themes like love, nostalgia, loss, and family. Despite the inevitable changes that come with age, one fact remains clear – Circa Waves’ bright indie-rock sound will endure.
6/10
Words: Emma C Harrison
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Regardless of what challenges life presents, be it love, loss, heartbreak, or death, you can count on Circa Waves to consistently deliver indie-rock tracks.