Unwanted, the third album from pop rock outfit Pale Waves, sees them pushing the boundaries of their own musical identity once more. This record moves the band further away from the 80’s new wave and indie pop-inspired sound of 2018’s debut My Mind Makes Noises, choosing to elaborate on the rock and pop punk sounds of the 90’s and early 00’s that the group chose to emulate and take influence from on 2021’s Who Am I?. It is apparent the group is much more comfortable in their own skin this time around, as this album feels like a much more confident iteration of the band than ever previously displayed. The band have always had a strong-willed attitude and energy about them, so hearing a grungy, pop punk-tinged record comes as no surprise. “Unwanted had to be honest, provocative, and loud. Not only thematically, but in the music as well” shares vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie.

To say the record accomplishes these themes would be a massive understatement. From the moment it kicks off with the fuzzed out guitars of lead single “Lies,” the album demands to be played at maximum volume. The album carries an anthemic energy throughout, with standout tracks such as the title track “Unwanted,” “Jealousy,” and “Alone” utilizing massive layers of guitars and hard-hitting drums underneath catchy and angsty melodies and lyrics that belong at home on every pop punk fan’s playlists and will certainly translate to fan-favorites when played live in clubs and at festivals alike.

The record also showcases the band’s versatility, as sprinkled between the soon-to-be pop punk classics are mid-tempo pop rock songs that would be right at home on the soundtrack of the most beloved teen romantic comedy soundtracks. Recent single “Clean” speaks of being completely entranced within a new budding relationship, with infatuation and obsession on the mind, wanting to spend all one’s time wrapped up in the honeymoon stage, while “So Sick (Of Missing You),” written about Maeve and Otis of the television show Sex Education, illustrates the heartbreak of watching a loved one slowly slip away out of one’s own control. “Reasons to Live” is an upbeat love letter to the person in one’s life who pulls them out of their dark days and shows them they are capable of happiness once more.

The album touches on much heavier and more serious themes as well - “The Hard Way,” a beautifully performed acoustic arrangement being a tribute to a high school classmate of Heather’s who was bullied and took her own life, seeks to raise awareness and educate young listeners that words have a great impact and sends the much needed message to be kind to one another. “Only Problem” deals with the topic of substances, allowing Heather to directly address this struggle through personifying addiction and conversational, directly confrontational lyrics. 

Pale Waves continue to prove themselves as one of the most versatile young acts around, with each album crafting its own unique sonic trademark in their discography, but maintaining an identity and signature that is recognizably Pale Waves. While with previous efforts this has sometimes felt like genre whiplash, the band has locked in on a comfortable home with this record.

7/10