Pale Waves - Unwanted

On last year’s second full-length offering, Pale Waves’ Heather Baron-Gracie posed the question ‘Who Am I?’ as she explored finding her identity. Now, she answers that in the group’s bold and unapologetic new record that finds the Manchester band more assured than ever. Called ‘Unwanted’ as a rallying cry to marginalised groups, the album is a defiant expression of darker emotions, with heartbreak inspiring fiery opening track ‘Lies’ as well as the title track, while ‘You’re So Vain’ calls out a narcissistic partner, the poignant ‘Numb’ explores mental health struggles, and ‘Reasons To Live’ charts rising up from rock bottom. Leaning more into the pop-rock sound of their previous record, ‘Unwanted’ shines in its ability to produce a pop-punk anthem your ‘00s faves wish they could’ve written. Throughout, Heather holds nothing back, with the thrashing ‘Jealousy’ summing up the album’s ethos: “I won’t pretend / And I won’t apologise.”