Album Review: Wavves - Afraid Of Heights

Afraid Of Heights, the fourth album from Californian stoner rockers Wavves, is the most meticulously controlled record in Nathan Williams' body of work to date. The change of direction (and producer) for his latest project is evident in contrast to his last studio album, the noisy surfer-pop King Of The Beach or even the DIY EP Life Sux. It's an album with hints of Wavves' infectious energy and grabbing melodies, restricted by controlled volume changes and a far softer sound. It's a change that appears to indicate maturity or a yearning for accessibility.

The opening song and lead single Sail To The Sun instantly grabs you as an ode to Wavves' rough playfulness that was so apparent in earlier releases. This is followed by Demon To Lean On; the watery reverb sound reminiscent of a classic Nirvana song, an ideal stoner track. What follows are a myriad of tracks (Mystic, Dog, Afraid Of Heights, I Can't Dream) consisting of subtle instrumentation, archetypal guitar chords and vocals that, though lyrically playful, are musingly meandering, reminiscent of a seasoned rocker who's mellowed with age. Other tracks span mood and genre, from Beat Me Up; a playful tune with a '50s rock'n'roll sound, or the glossily grungy Everything Is My Fault and That's On Me, which are punctuated by Williams' typically self-loathing but laidback vocals

It's impressive that the surfer punk is ambitious enough to expand into broader instrumentation featuring strings, chimes and clapping. However the album's polished sound is a far cry from the musician previously lauded for his iconic garage ethos. It's certainly Williams' voice penetrating the cleanly produced album. But it's a different, more refined Williams who's cast aside his distortion peddle in favour of a tighter, all-over sound.