Alvvays find a way to articulate their heart-struck, dream-like songs with deft intention and control.
First albums rarely arrive catchier or more self-assured than this Toronto indie-pop quintet’s frothy inaugural go.
Alvvays’ record is a hard-hitting, multi-faceted anthology of awesome, and sits pretty as one of 2014’s brightest debuts.
On their excellent self-titled debut, the five-piece will struggle to convince listeners of their album’s importance or its greatness; the love for this album is very emotionally based.
It's a rare treat to discover a debut like Alvvays'. Each of the nine songs on the Toronto band's first LP is a sharply drawn indie-pop wonder, steeped in romance, wit and melody.
What is most surprising from Alvvays is its point of origin: this doesn’t sound like Toronto-native output, and it’s damn refreshing to see this kind of sun-soaked pop come from the city of crack cocaine and snowy winters.
Though there are moments of frayed musical charm throughout Alvvays, it exhibits an unexpected level of versatility for a debut.
Like all good summertime experiences, Alvvays' debut feels like a warm and fuzzy memory, forging a deeper sense of nostalgia with each repeat visit.
Alvvays’ sumptuously pretty pop glistens with hazy reverb and insouciant jangles, recalling yer La Seras and yer Dum Dum Girlses without really sounding too much like either of them.
It draws from the same spirit as early Shins and given its lack of missteps, it’s capable of becoming just as important a debut as ‘Oh, Inverted World’.
Leaving themselves with no room for filler, the band set out to deliver on the promise of their singles, and we're thrilled to report that they've succeeded. Stardom beckons.
Nothing on this record fails to impress.
What sets Alvvays apart from their peers is the sense of darkness and melancholy that hides behind the somewhat sprightly tunes on offer.
This is the sound of pristine pop music blasted through cheap, blown-out headphones—and every time it seems like a song is about to decay before your ears, you sense both the sadness and liberation of knowing that nothing lasts forever.
Produced by folk-rock veteran Chad VanGaalen, Alvvays capitalizes on its use of reverb and nostalgia to create a charming wistfulness in some places, but hasty aftereffects in others.
Despite the sun-soaked paisley vibe that it initially sets, Alvvays sidetracks itself from the “summer album” malady with a surprising amount of hefty hooks and sweet-and-sour lyrical contours.
Alvvays is an exciting opening album from a band who bring refinement to a genre that make them sound mature beyond their years.
I'm going to be reviewing most of the albums that I got recommended this week since I had a few and I'm going to start with this one from @Needlefluujr so thank you for the recommendation and go check out his account if you haven't already he's a genuinely really nice and kind person! Usually I'm not a huge fan of indie or indie rock but with this I actually found myself really enjoying it. This is easily one of the most fun records that I have heard. It's an absolute blast and gives you such a ... read more
I hate that the W is like that I’m sorry
The debut album from Alvvays is a really great introduction as a band, with solid tunes and catchy hooks all over this thing. I’m gonna get my one little complaint out now, and that’s that it can get a little too one note at times, but it’s not a huge issue. Still got a lot of really solid stuff. Archie, Marry Me is an obvious standout, with one of the most infectious melodies in all of indie. Just so wonderful and it feels ... read more
Yeah it's good
Best tracks: Adult Diversion, Ones Who Love You, Atop a Cake
Worst tracks: Dive
One of my favourite Canadian bands. Saw them live a couple years ago. My standout tracks are: "Archie, Marry Me," "Next of Kin," "Red Planet," and "Adult Diversion."
1 | Adult Diversion 3:27 | 89 |
2 | Archie, Marry Me 3:16 | 92 |
3 | Ones Who Love You 3:47 | 85 |
4 | Next of Kin 3:48 | 85 |
5 | Party Police 3:47 | 85 |
6 | The Agency Group 4:31 | 82 |
7 | Dives 2:56 | 77 |
8 | Atop a Cake 3:19 | 88 |
9 | Red Planet 3:58 | 80 |
#5 | / | Paste |
#6 | / | Drowned in Sound |
#15 | / | CMJ |
#15 | / | Rough Trade |
#19 | / | Fopp |
#20 | / | Time Out New York |
#23 | / | Under the Radar |
#25 | / | No Ripcord |
#27 | / | Gorilla vs. Bear |
#29 | / | NME |