All the Things I Never Said (Pale Waves EP)

All the Things I Never Said
EP by
Pale Waves
Released20 February 2018 (2018-02-20)
Recorded2017
GenreIndie pop
Length14:00
LabelDirty Hit
ProducerJonathan Gilmore
Pale Waves chronology
All the Things I Never Said
(2018) 		My Mind Makes Noises
(2018)
Singles from All the Things I Never Said
  1. "New Year's Eve"
    Released: 7 November 2017
  2. "My Obsession"
    Released: 13 December 2017
  3. "The Tide"
    Released: 1 February 2018
  4. "Heavenly"
    Released: 23 March 2018

All the Things I Never Said is the debut extended play (EP) by English indie pop band Pale Waves. It was released on 20 February 2018 by Dirty Hit. All the Things I Never Said includes reworked versions of the band's early demos, "The Tide" and "Heavenly", alongside the newer songs, "New Year's Eve" and "My Obsession".

Originally titled New Year's Eve (after the EP's first track), the record had been tentatively scheduled for release on 18 January 2018 before being pushed back to 20 February, whereupon the EP was renamed. All four tracks on the EP were released as singles, with "New Year's Eve", released on 7 November 2017, serving as the lead single. The EP peaked at number one on both the UK Physical Singles Chart and the UK Vinyl Singles Chart. The EP also ranked at 31 on the year-end UK Vinyl Singles Top 40 chart.

Recording and release

The EP was recorded in late 2017 and produced by Jonathan Gilmore.[1]

Two of the tracks on the EP – "The Tide" and "Heavenly"—are among the band's earliest compositions. In 2015, the band had released early recordings of both songs via SoundCloud, and they also included these early recordings on a CD-R demo tape that they sold through the internet.[2][3][4][5] These demo tracks were produced prior to guitarist Hugo Silvani and bassist Charlie Wood joining the band,[5][6] and upon their initial release, they caught the attention of XFM radio broadcaster John Kennedy. Kennedy in turn notified the independent label Dirty Hit, who subsequently signed the band onto their roster.[7]

In a discussion with Billboard magazine about the decision to re-record their earlier songs, Heather Baron-Gracie, the band's lead singer and guitarist, explained:[8]

I like the fact that they are on the EP, because they were relevant at a time. They remind me of a time where I was like that, innocent, and the position I was in. I never really want to let those songs go. For them to go on our first EP is really special. A lot of the fans have heard these songs. I think they're really going to be overwhelmed we put them on there. A lot of people thought we'd pick them up and throw them away, but we didn't. We gave them back to [the fans].[8]

Promotion and singles

The first single from the EP, "New Year's Eve", was released on 7 November 2017.[9] On 15 December 2017, the track entered into contemporary hit radio rotation in the United Kingdom.[10] The music video for the track was directed by Stephen Agnew and was released on 5 December 2017. The video features the band at a New Year's Eve party where they are the only guests and performers.[11] While the band received several treatments for the video, it was Agnew's that caught their attention, as it was closest to the band's initial vision.[8]

The second single, "My Obsession", was released digitally on 13 December 2017,[12] one day after premiering on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show.[13] The music video for the song was released on 18 December 2017. The video, shot in conjunction with the video for "New Year's Eve" over two days, was also directed by Agnew. The video features Baron-Gracie living with a mannequin as the object of her obsession, bathing with it and holding it close like a loved one.[8][14] Speaking to The Fader about the video, Baron-Gracie said, "I wanted to create an uncomfortable, voyeuristic experience for the viewer [so as] to make them feel they are intruding on a world they shouldn't be a part of. Ultimately, it is a representation of desperation, loneliness and grief."[15]

On 31 January 2018, "The Tide" premiered on Lowe's Beats 1 show as part of his "World Record" feature,[16] and it was released as a digital single the following day.[17] The music video for "The Tide" premiered on 7 February 2018 and was directed by Andy Deluca. The video features live shots interspersed with backstage footage.[18] The footage was taken from the band's headlining tour across North America in November and December 2017.[19]

The EP's final single, "Heavenly", premiered on BBC Radio 1's show Annie Mac and was named the "Hottest Record in the World" on 19 February 2018.[20] On 23 March, it was serviced to UK contemporary hit radio.[21] The video for the song was released on 19 March 2018. Directed by Adam Powell, it features Baron-Gracie dressed in a latex catsuit attached to numerous wires being controlled and pulled in several directions. Intermixed with this footage are clips of Baron-Gracie miming the song against a white background.[22] This video had its world premier on the Wonderland website.[23]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Line of Best Fit[24]
NME[2]
Riot[25]

Critical reception to the EP has been largely positive. Thomas Smith of NME praised the release as "a vivid 15-minute scrapbook of [the band's] journey thus far." Smith argued that the release "pushed the band's sound into daring new ground", and that its tracks were affectively moving.[2] Dave Beech of The Line of Best Fit awarded the album an eight out of ten, describing the EP as "four tracks of effortless indie-pop; its silky-smooth pop licks and sugar sweet vocal delivery masking a darkness that seems inherent to Pale Waves’ genetic make-up." While noting that some listeners might dislike the record's overt pop sensibilities, Beech wrote that it is "impossible to deny how much fun [Pale Waves's] music is".[24]

Aurora Henni Grogh of Riot magazine wrote that the album was rich "with heartfelt lyrics that take us through the bitter-sweet landscape of romance", and that the EP as a whole "makes you wish you were young and in love". Grogh further complimented the record's melodies, guitar tone, and "intimacy" of its lyrics. Conversely, Grogh wrote that the EP "makes you yearn for more [musical] diversity" and that "Pale Waves need to show more" in the future.[25] Ally Tatosian of MXDWN wrote that, with All the Things I Never Said, Pale Waves "have created their own twist on the classic happy-sad vibe most indie-pop bands have successfully aged over the years". Baron-Gracie's writing, Tatosian further wrote, is "overflowing [with an] abundance of raw emotion", as best evidenced in the lyrics to "My Obsession" and "Heavenly".[26]

Reception to the singles was largely positive. Writing for Clash magazine, reviewer Robin Murray called "New Year's Eve" "engagingly bittersweet" and said that the song's "storming chorus could [have been] lifted straight from the end credits of a John Hughes movie".[27] DIY magazine likewise called "New Year's Eve" a "shimmering pop gem with a melancholy twist as the soaring hook".[28] In a review of the second single, "My Obsession", Murray called the track "endearingly open" and "Pale Waves at their best – honest, reflective, and gently anthemic".[29] DIY similarly called "My Obsession" "another storming goth-pop sensation" whose "crunching riffs, jangly guitar melodies and a killer pop hook [explode] seemingly from nowhere".[30] Thomas Smith of NME called the EP's third single, "The Tide" an "indie-pop banger",[31] and the music review staff of Platform magazine described the song as a "feel-good ... dreamy, 80s inspired track".[32] Finally, Laurence Day of The Line of Best Fit described the record's final single, "Heavenly", as "effortlessly charming from start to end, with the euphoric chorus built to soundtrack memories of misspent youth and summer frolics and classic coming-of-age movies from decades past".[33]

Commercial performance

Initially, slated to be released on 18 January 2018 under the title New Year's Eve,[34][35] All the Things I Never Said was officially released on 20 February 2018 by Dirty Hit.[36][37] The initial release was digital download-only, but on 16 March 2018, a vinyl version of the record was also released.[37][38]

Track listing

All the Things I Never Said track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."New Year's Eve"
Jonathan Gilmore3:27
2."The Tide"
  • Baron-Gracie
  • Doran
Gilmore3:14
3."My Obsession"
  • Baron-Gracie
  • Doran
Gilmore4:25
4."Heavenly"
  • Baron-Gracie
  • Doran
Gilmore2:54
Total length:14:00

Personnel

Charts

Release history

Country Date Format Label Catalog no. Ref.
Various 14 September 2018
— [36][37]
United Kingdom 16 March 2018
DH00288 [37][38]

References

  1. ^ "Meet Pale Waves: The gothic band that Naomi Campbell mistook for children". Stars Insider. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Smith, Thomas (20 February 2018). "Pale Waves – All the Things I Never Said". NME. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ^ Connick, Tom (19 March 2018). "Pale Waves share glossy new 'Heavenly' video". NME. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  4. ^ Graves, Shahlin (31 August 2017). "Interview: Pale Waves on future happenings + working with The 1975's George Daniel and Matty Healy". Coup de Main. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b Abrahams, Josh (17 February 2021). "'I Know What It Feels Like To Feel Different' Clash Meets Pale Waves". Clash. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  6. ^ Amai, Junnosuke (3 October 2018). "Interview with Pale Waves about "My Mind Makes Noises"". NeoL (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 30 January 2022.
  7. ^ Muir, Jamie (2017–18). "Introducing the Next Biggest Band on the Planet: Pale Waves". Dork (December/January ed.): 44–49.
  8. ^ a b c d Scott, Jason (6 December 2017). "Pale Waves on Upcoming Debut EP 'New Year's Eve' & Being a Band That's 'Actually Becoming Something'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  9. ^ "New Year's Eve – Single by Pale Waves". iTunes Store (UK). 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  10. ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  11. ^ Pale Waves (5 December 2017). "Pale Waves – New Year's Eve". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  12. ^ "My Obsession – Single by Pale Waves". iTunes Store (UK). 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  13. ^ Indie Is Not a Genre (12 December 2017). "Pale Waves reveal new track 'My Obsession' from debut EP". Medium. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  14. ^ Pale Waves (18 December 2017). "Pale Waves – My Obsession". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Pale Waves share gloomy video for 'My Obsession'". DIY. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  16. ^ Graves, Shahlin (1 February 2018). "Listen: Pale Waves re-release 'The Tide'". Coup De Main Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  17. ^ "The Tide – Single by Pale Waves". iTunes Store (UK). February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  18. ^ Pale Waves (7 February 2018). "Pale Waves – The Tide". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Head on tour with Pale Waves in their video for 'The Tide'". DIY. 7 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  20. ^ ""Naomi Campbell asked us: 'where are your parents?'" – Pale Waves talk NME Awards, new celeb friends & selling out their UK tour". BBC Radio 1. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  21. ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  22. ^ Pale Waves (19 March 2018). "Pale Waves – Heavenly". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  23. ^ Harris, Daniel Alexander (19 March 2018). "Premiere: Pale Waves – 'Heavenly'". Wonderland. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  24. ^ a b Beech, Dave. "Pale Waves – All the Things I Never Said". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  25. ^ a b Krogh, Aurora Henni (2018). "EP Review: All The Things I Never Said // Pale Waves". Riot. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  26. ^ Tatosian, Ally (15 March 2018). "Pale Waves - All The Things I Never Said". MXDWN. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  27. ^ "New Year's Eve Review" Archived 22 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Clash. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Pale Waves share new track 'New Year's Eve'". DIY. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  29. ^ Murray, Robin (12 December 2017). "Pale Waves Cut Deep On New Song 'My Obsession'". Clash. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Pale Waves air new track 'My Obsession'". DIY. 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  31. ^ Smith, Thomas (7 February 2018). "Pale Waves are back with another indie-pop banger in the shape of 'The Tide'". NME. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Pale Waves – 'The Tide' single review". Platform Magazine. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  33. ^ Day, Laurence (20 February 2018). "Pale Waves strike gold again on John Hughes-y new single "Heavenly"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  34. ^ Doyle, Lucy (11 December 2017). "Pale Waves". PRS for Music. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  35. ^ Scott, Jason (6 December 2017). "Pale Waves on Upcoming Debut EP 'New Year's Eve' & Being a Band That's 'Actually Becoming Something'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  36. ^ a b Darville, Jordan (20 February 2018). "Pale Waves share debut EP All the Things I Never Said". The Fader. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d "Goth Pop act Pale Waves confirm Limerick gig date". Dolan's Live Music Venue & Food. 5 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  38. ^ a b "All the Things I Never Said EP". Dirty Hit. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  39. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  41. ^ "The Official Top 40 biggest vinyl albums and singles of 2018". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2018. Note: This article erroneously lists All the Things I Never Said under its original name, New Year's Eve.