The Waeve , a project led by blur’s Graham Coxon and singer-songwriter Rose Elinor Dougall is a fascinating melting pot of genres, their 2023 debut album signalling a departure from the sound of the pair’s earlier work and earning them acclaim. The Waeve now returns with their second LP ‘City Lights’ promising a similar blend of styles. The title track kicks things off in emphatic fashion with Coxon showing his prowess, unfurling some impressive riffs before the pair’s vocals come in.
There is a post-punk feel about it, bolstered by their harmonies. Coxon may not have been blur’s lead vocalist but he shows on The Waeve how strong his vocals are in their own right. The second half of the track lets him cut loose with the saxophone as well, showing his skill as a multi-instrumentalist.
‘You Saw’, places Dougall’s vocals more front and centre, a slighter smoother sound than the opener, it gradually brings additional elements into the foreground with Coxon’s solos jostling for attention with the vocals. It is a successful marriage and really captures what makes their sound so effective and different from blur. ‘Moth To The Flame’ also puts the sax at its epicentre and as with much of the album has an unpredictable feel to it but is driven by vigorous energy, it is sure to be a live favourite with its propulsive bassline.
Again the harmonies stand out. — — ‘I Belong To’ is more purposefully built around the pair’s vocals, almost an electronic folk.