Philadelphia’s Flatwaves is back with a new single, “Paloma,” which delightfully showcases the band’s unique amalgam of ’90s shoegaze haze, which is mixed with the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll and the psychedelic swirl of fuzzed-out garage rock. This lead offers a taste of what is to come — mostly searing guitars and a driving rhythm section, which is sure to leave the listener with impressions of scorched earth and Lynch-ian dream sequences.
Flatwaves’ Allie Lannutti says, “‘Paloma’ is reminiscing with your younger self about all of the things you let slide; before you found your voice, before you stopped being afraid to speak up. We’re taught to be polite, to keep things comfortable for everyone else, even when it costs us our own peace. We smile when we want to scream. We laugh it off to keep things light and avoid making a scene. The song is for all those quiet moments that pile up over time. Where do you draw the line? Tell them to fuck off? Forget being polite? All you can do is look back and hope karma does the rest.”
The band released its debut LP, Numbra, in 2022 on Philly’s own Abandon Everything Records, wasdescribed as a “psychedelic wasteland.” This summer Flatwaves drops its second LP, Tell Me Secrets, (again on Abandon Everything Records). It was recorded by Justin Bartlett at Studio 4, and finds the band continuing its explorations of death and disorientation. Pre-order Tell Me Secrets here.
Catch Flatwaves live May 10 at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia supporting DAIISTAR and L.A. Witch and June 28 in Los Angeles at The Echo for Dum Dum Fest III.
Photo by Bob Sweeney.
