Smitten (Pale Waves album)

Smitten
The album cover depicts lead singer of Pale Waves, Heather Baron-Gracie, wearing dark clothing and lying on her back in a grassy field at night. She is looking up at a glowing chandelier mysteriously suspended above her head.
Studio album by
Pale Waves
Released27 September 2024 (2024-09-27)
Genre
Length40:16
LabelDirty Hit
Producer
  • Simon Oscroft
  • Iain Berryman
  • Hugo Silvani
Pale Waves chronology
Unwanted
(2022) 		Smitten
(2024)
Singles from Smitten
  1. "Perfume"
    Released: 12 June 2024[5]
  2. "Glasgow"
    Released: 12 July 2024[6]
  3. "Gravity"
    Released: 15 August 2024[7]
  4. "Thinking About You"
    Released: 13 September 2024[8]
  5. "Kiss Me Again"
    Released: 24 September 2024[9]

Smitten is the fourth studio album by English rock band Pale Waves. It was released on 27 September 2024 by independent record label Dirty Hit. Co-produced by Simon Oscroft, Iain Berryman, and Hugo Silvani, Smitten recorded in both Los Angeles and London, with production beginning in late 2023. Unlike the band's previous albums Who Am I? (2021) and Unwanted (2022), Smitten marked a return to the band's earlier jangle-inspired synth-pop sound.

The lyrics on Smitten were largely inspired by lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie's reflections on her teenage diary, as well as her meditation on the emotions of early queer relationships; this resulted in a record that Baron-Gracie later described as "romantic, delicate, and feminine".[10] Musically, the record was inspired by musicians like Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, and Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries. Critics have also noted the likely influence of popular '80s bands like the Cure and Cocteau Twins.

According to review aggregators Metacritic and AnyDecentMusic?, Smitten received mostly positive reviews from critics, with many with critics praising its ambitious pop hooks, its mature songwriting, and its return to the band's original synth-pop sound. That said, some critics felt that the album's sound was too simple. Smitten debuted at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and at number three on the UK Independent Albums Chart. To support the album, music videos for the songs "Perfume", "Glasgow", "Gravity", and "Thinking About You" were released.

  1. ^ "Album Review: Pale Waves – Smitten". The Soundboard. 23 September 2024. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Smitten – Pale Waves". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024.
  3. ^ Jaber, Nisrin (23 September 2024). "Album Review: Pale Waves – Smitten". Archived from the original on 15 November 2024.
  4. ^ Boulton, Kyle (2024). "Pale Waves discuss Smitten, Jangle-Pop Influences, and the Meaning of Success". Soundsphere. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders". BBC Radio 1. 12 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024.
  6. ^ Skinner, Tom (3 July 2024). "Pale Waves announce 2024 UK headline tour". NME. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024.
  7. ^ Hardman, Neville (15 August 2024). "See Pale Waves' Romantic New Video for 'Gravity'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  8. ^ Taylor, Sam (13 September 2024). "Pale Waves are teasing 'Smitten' with their scenic new video for 'Thinking About You'". Dork. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024.
  9. ^ Pale Waves (24 September 2024). "Pale Waves – Kiss Me Again". Vevo. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference rocksound-mag was invoked but never defined (see the help page).