Alternative
Washing Machina – The Spontaneous Splendid LP (Lövely Records)
Swedish quartet Washing Machina has recently released “The Spontaneous Splendid,” their debut full-length album via Lövely Records. The album is available via streaming platforms while the physical release lovers can also snag a vinyl, which is limited to 500 copies. “The Spontaneous Splendid” contains ten exceptional compositions, with “Steampunker” and “Uncompletable” presented as video singles […]
Swedish quartet Washing Machina has recently released “The Spontaneous Splendid,” their debut full-length album via Lövely Records. The album is available via streaming platforms while the physical release lovers can also snag a vinyl, which is limited to 500 copies. “The Spontaneous Splendid” contains ten exceptional compositions, with “Steampunker” and “Uncompletable” presented as video singles before the album release. Soundwise, Washing Machina embraces many different but complementary music genres to illustrate such rich and luxurious sonic imagery. Perhaps alternative rock comes to mind first, but you’ll notice some of the finest sonic ingredients borrowed from noise rock, grunge, garage rock, shoegaze, indie rock, etc. Of course, the band uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift their compositions on an entirely new level while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary styles resulted in a magnificent material worth repeating over and over again.
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Photo courtesy of the band.“The Spontaneous Splendid” commences with “Steampunker,” an excellent introductory number that adequately showcases what Washing Machine is all about. The band demonstrates their take on alternative rock sound by continuously levitating between modern and retro sonic maneuvers. The rhythm and lead guitar articulate harmoniously by delivering a calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal sound. In the meantime, the rhythm section keeps everything in line by delivering equally complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines and tastefully arranged moderate beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. However, the interplay between the two vocalists steals the show here. Their steady, melodic, ear-appealing vocal articulations suit the ambiance, keeping the listener engaged throughout the entire track. “Twilight Zone” arrives with a slightly more dynamic, energetic, and noisy vibe. This particular song continues in the vein of “Steampunker,” but with more shoegaze, garage rock, and noise rock experimentations achieved with reverby, heavily distorted guitars. It’s a perfect number that will appeal to all the eighties shoegaze and the nineties alternative rock fans.
“Uncompletable” signifies a more straightforward modern alternative rock sound with mesmerizing interplay between heavily distorted rhythm guitars and cleverly assembled leads. You’ll solely enjoy all the reverby riffs shining on one side while themes, melodies, and harmonies burst on the other. The vocals sound exceptional on this one, making “Uncompletable” one of the best tracks, gliding between low, mid, and high notes with such ease. Washing Machina keeps verses as calm as possible, but they introduce a tremendous heaviness during the choruses, reminding of some post-hardcore maneuvers released in the past decade. “Daydream Team” continues at the same pace but with even more noisy experimentations included along the way. It’s another powerful alternative rock track that will surely appeal to anyone even remotely into grunge, post-grunge, or noise-pop music.
“The Loop” leans even more towards the grunge universe, but with a touch of noise pop included along the way. The guitars channel some reverby post-punk chord progressions and leads, while the bass guitar roars from beneath. The drummer keeps the remainder of the orchestrations together by delivering ultra-heavy, robust rhythmic sequences, breaks, accentuations, and other percussive maneuvers. Once again, the reverby, hypnotic, catchy vocal harmonies steal the show here. It’s a wonderful, tastefully assembled number that will immediately grab your attention. “Eaten People” channels that irresistible shoegazey grunge sound with a subtle touch of indie rock. Washing Machina are such pros in creating catchy numbers where every instrument has its place and purpose, and “Eaten People” is more than a good example of their brilliance. It’s one of those songs where you could get lost in all those tender, calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal instrumentations. “October” brings back their familiar alternative rock experimentations, with all those fuzzy, raw, abrasive guitars shining in the mix, while the rhythm section propels everything to the max. It’s a wonderful number where vocal dualities serve as a centerpiece.
“Silver Hugs” resembles those late nineties and early noughties alternative rock ballads, where the hypnotic singalongs push you so deep into the song while the arpeggiated chord progressions, marvelous basslines, and moderate beats act as more than necessary support on this otherwordly audio voyage. This song also acts as a tricky passage into a much darker “Into The Dark,” a song with an omnipresent grunge ambiance. However, Washing Machina couldn’t do this one without more excellent, irresistible, ear-appealing melodies and harmonies, heavily drenched in more noisy guitar experimentations. Like some tracks on this material, this one also serves as a reminder of the great shoegaze and alternative music from the past. “Ben Ruthie” acts as a closure of such an incredible album, and there’s more than a good reason why they picked this particular song as an outro. It’s another calm, soothing, cathartic number that combines melody and noise with such ease, guiding listeners through such vivid sonic imagery till the end.
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You should treat your listening apparatus with “The Spontaneous Splendid.” It’s one of those alternative rock albums that will become your instant favorite. Each number is a catchy banger, proving that these folks are not joking around with their music. From songwriting, composing, and arranging to record quality and production, it’s a marvelous full-length album that vividly showcases how alternative rock can still sound innovative, fresh, and unique. Head to your favorite streaming platforms or Lövely Records for more information about ordering this gem on vinyl. Don’t miss it!
Source: thoughtswordsaction.com
