In 2014, Canadian indie rockers Alvvays released their self-titled debut album. It was the top album of the year, and it’s one of the best albums of the last decade, perhaps the very best album of the decade. However, after that, they sort of disappeared for a little while. One might have begun to wonder if they would ever get around to their second album, or if they might go down as a one-hit wonder. Then, earlier this year, they dropped a new single, and announced a new album, with little fanfare. It came as a tremendous relief to all fans of dreamy indie pop. Now, they’ve released their music video for the single, called “In Undertow,” giving us all another excuse to listen to the song (as if though we haven’t been listening to it on repeat).
It’s a beautiful song, which is par for the course for Alvvays. Frontwoman Molly Rankin has a wonderful voice, which she uses to elegantly use words such as “metaphorically” and have it sound melodic and pretty. “In Undertow” is a great song that does away with any concern of a sophomore slump for Alvvays’ second album. The video is also really cool, with a dreamy nature that matches the musical stylings of the band. It also has a David Lynch vibe to it, only it makes more sense than Twin Peaks despite having no discernable narrative.
Alvvays’ new album, Antisocialites, is out September 8. The band has also unveiled a fall tour schedule. Based on “In Undertow,” and the band’s 2014 album, you can probably pencil Antisocialites in as the top album of 2017.
