Newcastle’s alternative rock outfit The Pale White make their return to the scene with a soaring album that highlights what they’ve been up to the past few years.
Aside from a line-up change, the trio have honed their craft and developed their charming rock sound into something that has more angles than a diamond. Without shying away from the anthemic indie rock vibes they’ve previously shared with their fans old and new on singles such as ‘Wisdom Tooth’ and ‘That Dress’ they’re bringing their signature sound, but it’s aged like a fine wine. Thunderous and anthemic, yet at the same time introspective, is what we hear on album opener ‘Lost In The Moment’ and ‘Final Exit’. ‘Woolly Thunder’ and ‘There’s An Echo’ hint at rockier influences, making for deliciously slick guitar-driven rock tracks.
A touch of indie enters the mix on ‘Real Again’, combined with QOTSA-like riffs and those soaring vocals that lead us like a red thread through this album. The power within singer Adam Hopes’ voice is what stands out most on ‘The Big Sad’, at least to someone who’s been with the band for a while. On their brand new musical offering, Hope says: “It’s an album born from the ashes of dark times, but representing a beacon of light for the future. An album of honesty and purity, one that our current fanbase sonically may not be expecting. The sound of a band that got tired of slamming on the fuzz pedal to tick the ‘rock’ box and dares to try something new, dares to shock, dares to be great.”
Modest as always, the band at least lives up to the expectations with a great and soaring alternative rock album, one that includes songs of stillness, reflection, classic melodies, and refined compositions. It’s slower, less in your face, more confident, of which ‘Trapped In The Vacuum’ is the perfect example. Then there’s the one on which drummer Jack Hope can truly shine again, previously released single ‘Nostradamus’, and title track slash album closer ‘The Big Sad’. The Pale White 2.0 shines bright on ‘The Big Sad’, and bring a theatrical rocking sound that is different, refined, and still as charming. We’re glad to see they’re still around, albeit it driven by a different sound.
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