Album Review
PAWS - No Grace
3 StarsAs an experiment, ‘No Grace’ could go further. But PAWS continue to have fuzz defining their every step.
Since 2012’s ‘Cokefloat’, Paws have been an archetype hooky, fuzzy guitar band. ‘No Grace’, however, takes a subtly different turn that at certain moments verges on pop-punk (a version of the chicken/egg question raised by the fact it was produced by blink-182’s Mark Hoppus). This album often sees them polishing that initial fuzz on a lot of their songs, with riffs that shimmer in turquoise and lilac.
One unfortunate consequence of this is a loss of Scottish charm - Phillip Taylor’s vocal has shifted. One of PAWS’ big draws is the fact that they sing in their own accents and have their own voice. The vocal on ‘No Grace’ already exists, and while they’re not here to change the world, at times they stop kicking up dust.
At its best, when it doesn’t take itself too seriously, ‘No Grace’ is a perfectly fun album. ‘Clarity’ is an all-thrills ride, and the opening riff of ‘Asthmatic’ is gorgeous when listened to in isolation. As an experiment, ‘No Grace’ could go further. But PAWS continue to have fuzz defining their every step.
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PAWS - PAWS
3-5 Stars
There’s probably just enough of whichever aspect won fans over in the first place to be rewarding.
27th October 2023, 7:50am
PAWS announce new, self-titled album
They’ve also shared new track ‘Disenchanted’.
17th August 2023, 4:48pm
PAWS - Your Church on My Bonfire
4 Stars
An emotionally bare and open record unlike anything the Glaswegian trio have done before.
26th April 2019, 7:57am
PAWS share video for ‘Joanna’
The track features on new album ‘Your Church on My Bonfire’.
23rd April 2019, 12:00am
Featuring SOFT PLAY, Corinne Bailey Rae, 86TVs, English Teacher and more!