Altogether, You’re Welcome is a powerful message from Wavves. The record seems to say “fuck you” to everyone who thought that constricting the band’s energy and creativity was the right move.
While the album has the signature Wavves sound, the songwriting and production is taking on a sophistication that only comes with a progressing level of musical maturity.
You’re Welcome isn’t a mere homage to the history of popular music; the band has assimilated these influences into its own sonic approach. As a result, even Wavves’ familiar inspirations feel invigorated.
Wavves has come a long way from being derided as neo-Blink 182 rip-offs and carved out a lane of their own, one that has continued to widen with their latest release, You’re Welcome.
It's good that he decided to stretch his creative muscles a little on You're Welcome. It's even better that he came up with a smart and compulsively listenable update on the Wavves sound that kept all their rambunctious energy, but also added some fun tricks and treats.
It’s not only eclectic, but also borderline bizarre at times.
Besides one failed experiment of a song, You're Welcome's 11 other tracks are not only some of the best songs Williams has ever penned, but some of the freshest, most inventive tunes the genre has heard in years.
Wavves’ music has always been tailor-made for hazy summer days (and nights) and this record doesn’t disappoint on that front either. But altogether, this is the sound of the former King of the Beach aging gracefully. Or as gracefully as this punk can manage.
Originally whittled down from 40 songs Williams had penned from a jumble of sample-led ideas, ‘You’re Welcome’ nonetheless features Wavves proverbial fuzzy guitar distortions and surf vibes, but includes his explorative forays into ‘70s psychedelia from South America, Cambodian pop and his obsession of ‘50s doo-wop.
This time things lean more towards the early pop of the ’50s paired with a ’90s indie rock urgency. It’s less about the energy of punk, but still raw and abrasive.
There is a palpable sense of purpose and urgency about You’re Welcome that make it the best Wavves record.
You’re Welcome feels stale, dried of both new inspiration or improvisational allure.
While the band's sonic palette has become immeasurably more sophisticated, You're Welcome indicates that Williams only follows suit with his melodies about half the time.
The greatest strengths of Wavves are under-utilised here. Straightforward cuts like Daisy, Hollowed Out and Exercise double-down on their surf-rock/garage roots and demonstrate the simple joy of a catchy hook and fuzzy chords – something that's smothered elsewhere on the album beneath the constant tinkering.
Any real attempts at evolution are marginal at best, and ultimately You're Welcome is just another Wavves album, another collection of sugary anthems.
"You're Welcome" is a Wavves album through and through--without the catchy choruses.
Notable Songs: "Daisy"; "Dreams of Grandeur"
Much better than its predecessor, and a return to favoring fun over dour, but not the lyrical quality Williams once delivered.
Much better than its predecessor, and a return to favoring fun over dour, but not the lyrical quality Williams once delivered.
You’re Welcome is exactly what you may think it is if you have any experience with the band: it is a solid pop-rock album which strayed from the bands angrier tone, adopting a more poppy visage, giving a new sound. While there are poor songs on the album, it is generally to the high standard, both in terms of production and quality, that is expected of the band. While it does more or less continue with the band’s style, its baby step sized departures do hold some promise for the ... read more
1 | Daisy 2:32 | 75 |
2 | You're Welcome 3:00 | 55 |
3 | No Shade 1:46 | 65 |
4 | Million Enemies 3:59 | 70 |
5 | Hollowed Out 2:51 | 70 |
6 | Come to the Valley 2:57 | 70 |
7 | Animal 2:44 | 75 |
8 | Stupid in Love 2:58 | 70 |
9 | Exercise 2:23 | 60 |
10 | Under 2:31 | 70 |
11 | Dreams of Grandeur 4:10 | 65 |
12 | I Love You 3:43 | 70 |