More about: Palace

Shoals, the third studio album from London alt-blues outfit Palace, is a 50-minute reflection on 2020 and a time when the band and the entire world found themselves struggling with a fear and an uncertainty of perspective like never before. At moments, it finds a band in the middle of a redesign, as virtual recording sessions push each individual member in different directions, which seamlessly coalesce to create something that is equal parts moving as it is captivating. 

Opening with the gorgeous ‘Never Said It Was Easy’, Shoals oozes in and out of melancholy, the song's combination of reverb-heavy instrumentation and layered falsetto reminiscent of some of indie-folk acts of the late 2000’s, including the likes of Bon Iver and Ásgeir. Tracks such as ‘Sleeper’ and ‘Give Me The Rain’ showcase a band willing to break beyond the boundaries of their previous work, highlighting a willingness and a determination to experiment with palettes never before seen in their discography. 

It's lyrically and thematically, however, where this album really flourishes. Frontman Leo Wyndham has categorised the project as "a love letter to fear", and upon listening to the work there are few more fitting descriptions. Exploring everything from insomnia, a never-ending sense of anxiety and unease for all that's to come, as well as Wyndham’s ever-growing awareness of his own morbidity, the track-list documents a man retreating ever into himself to such an extent that its surprising he’s found a way to let it all out.

For all its uncertainty, however, its verses tie together like a gorgeous mosaic of broken dreams. Its highpoints, such as ‘Gravity’ and ‘Fade’; are exhibitions in weightlessness, as soaring guitars and immersive soundscapes take listeners on a journey of self-reflection. It's moments such as these that we remember why Palace have previously garnered such high praise, and why expectations are always so high for their work. If only they could pull it across an entire project. 

Instrumentally, Shoals is Palace’s most submerging project to date, adding a distinct sense of depth and gravitas that’s escaped them at previous junctures. Its opening seven tracks flow so naturally, before slowing disappointingly in the final third. Tracks such as ‘Salt’ and ‘Lover (Don’t Let Me Down)’ fail to reach the heights of their predecessors, but nevertheless don’t feel out of place amongst the collection. Instead, it feels as though the band were emotionally spent, treading water they’d already explored in previous tracks. Naturally, on an album so submerged in the depths of feelings, a little too long under the water can knock you out. 

Palace’s previous album, Life After detailed a band full of hope and optimism for all everything was coming their way. Shoals is the antithesis of such ambitions. In the end, it’s all about just getting through the day, one step at a time. 

Shoals arrives 21 January via Fiction Records.

Issue Two of the Gigwise Print magazine is on sale now! Buy it here.

More about: Palace