The warm, home-like coziness of Southern Resident Killer Whales’ latest EP Wave Forms (Out on January 25th) does an amazing job in comforting the soul and tickling the senses, while concealing a sublime musical presence, identity, and character that can only come from a capable group of musical minds.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Southern Resident Killer Whales are a shapeshifting musical group that kept defying being pigeonholed into a genre or a style for the span of the 7 songs on their latest EP Wave Forms. While maintaining a cohesive sonic character that calls back to the sound of groups such as Trashcan Sinatras, the Killer Whales produce music that is ultimately soft and easy, loaded with emotion and gentle musical and lyrical intricacies that made most of the 7 pieces on the EP (Out on January 25th) precious and immediately lovable.
An album full of warm and intimate ballads, Wave Forms is a generally very gentle listen. From even the album’s more bustling tunes such as ‘Fall Essay’ to its softest ballads, the sensitive and soft ‘With Love, Always’, Southern Resident Killer Whales are providing us with a sweet and introspective listen that’s consistent in its colors and tones, making the whole thing a cohesive and enjoyable experience.
‘Artists That Hate Me’ does a terrific job in introducing the band’s roomy vibes. With its prominent, clear electric guitar arpeggios and licks, the present embrace of the bass, and the confident restraint that drives the drum part, the song is a characterful piece of indie pop that drips with lovable charisma. ‘Play’s the Thing’ follows with even more vivid colors and more immediate melodies. Very soft and written in the vein of a quintessential indie pop tune, ‘Play’s the Thing’ relies on the subdued and passionate vocals, a bouncy and busy bass part, and a rich guitar arrangement that’s at once minimal yet fulfilling, with twisting and turning.
‘Let It Go’ gives away the band’s deep affinity for country music. The sweet, descending bass part and sugary chord sequences are familiar and warm, giving the song a syrupy flow, and the caramel smooth oohs and aahs on the emotionally tense chorus make ‘Let It Go’ one of the album’s most memorable offerings. The penultimate ‘With Love, Always’ is probably the album’s most standout piece. From its instantly catchy bass melody that willows and sways alongside crooning slide guitar phrases, the song offers an atmosphere that’s unlike any other on the album. Like a soft and warm hug, ‘With Love, Always’ is a superbly written pop tune.
The Minnesotan 4-piece outfit showcases terrific songwriting talent on Wave Forms. A shapeshifting amalgamation of soft rock and indie pop, Wave Form offers unique colors and an instantly enjoyable array of songs.
