EP Review: Planetary Shift // Graywave
Graywave is the stage name of multi-instrumentalist Jess Webberley. Slowdive and shoegaze influence her sound. She creates dreamy music that makes you feel like you’re in your own space.
Webberley’s take on indie rock is emotive and very powerful. Her sound consists of heavy chorus-driven guitars which remind me of Lush at their finest. Combined with the layered drums, it is a colossal assault on the ears. Webberley has amassed nearly 2,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and releases her debut EP Planetary Shift on April 23rd through False Peak Records. The spine-tingling and melodic moments make this one of the best EP’s I’ve heard this year. Take ‘Swallow’ for example. A heavenly experience is created by the bass and guitar. When the swirling guitars enter during the chorus: “Swallow your words”, it is so blissful.
This also works well on ‘Before’ because the listener feels the guitar building up, then all of a sudden a tidal wave of distortion hits you. The crescendo is powerful and demonstrates Webberley’s strong songwriting abilities. On the other hand, the title track is calmer and blissful because the softer instruments bring a welcoming change of pace. The reverb on the vocals works very well because they sound gorgeous.
Planetary Shift is a wonderful EP because it mixes epic guitars with haunting melodies. It’s an EP that’s well worth your time.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos