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British shoegaze pioneers Slowdive have released their fifth studio album, Everything is alive, drawing critical plaudits across the field.
The album, which arrives six years after their previous album, Slowdive (2017), is a collection of eight songs that explore themes of hope, love, and connection.
Slowdive, the English band, was originally formed in 1989 in Reading, Berkshire, and is one of the most prominent within the shoegaze scene – known for its ethereal mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume.
The album is dedicated to vocalist and guitarist Rachel Goswell’s mother and drummer Simon Scott’s father, who both died in 2020. “There were some profound shifts for some of us personally,” Goswell said in a statement. “It wouldn’t feel right to make a really dark record right now. The album is quite eclectic emotionally, but it does feel hopeful.”
Vocal and guitarist Neil Halstead further added, “It’s a record about finding joy in the everyday, even in the face of loss. It’s about celebrating the beauty of the world around us and the connections we have with each other.”
The album has been met with critical acclaim, with many critics praising its lush sound and hopeful message and calling it “a beautiful and moving album that is sure to resonate with fans of shoegaze and beyond.”
In addition to the critical acclaim, Everything Is Alive has also been a commercial success. The album has already reached No 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and No 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It is the band’s highest-charting album to date.
