There are a handful of bands who’re on the cusp of hitting it big that you know they would nail it when the time comes. swim school is one of those bands. They’ve always been known as an act with an undeniable sound, and a presence that has grown over the years. As they’ve honed their craft, it seems now’s the time to stick it to the big time, as they launch their debut, self-titled album.
Check out our Peeled Back article with swim school here.
Possibly inspired by the to-the-point artwork, Swim School kicks off with ‘Heaven’. The opening track wastes no time filling the ears with noise, as guitars clash with drums to create something explosive. I love how visceral and alive it sounds, and the way Alice Johnson’s vocals seemingly scrap with the instrumental to remain on top. It’s a great way to kick things off.
‘Green Eyes (Want It All)’ follows with an equally vibrant sound, but eases on the urgency to allow things to breathe a little. This gives the rhythm and bass to be heard, as it retains a rigid groove throughout that cuts through the atmospheric tones. It’s also here you witness how cohesive the band are, as the sound once again fills the room with ease, detailing its feelings on possessive love.
This is explored further on ‘Alone With You’, which features a chorus that utilises its space to gorgeous effect. Producing one of the standout moments on the album. Its simple hook and other-worldly melodies seem to float through the ever-moving percussion and makes it sound like a dream. It could easily become a setlist staple.
‘Waste Your Time’ ramps up the pace with a flurry of guitars colliding against furious drums that really dig into the skull. It gives off early Pixies and Weezer vibes, in that its intensity is layered with harmonies to smooth out the edges just a little bit. It sets us up for ‘On & On’, which immediately settles into the brain as the latest earworm. Its light chords allow Alice’s vocals to properly take charge, and deliver another simple chorus that’s hard to resist.
As superb as they are at creating instrumentals, swim school are also great at delivering a hook or two. As explosive and expansive as the album sounds, there are many points that are laced with something catchy that gives us something to hold on to. I think that’s why the band have always been held in high regard, as they can seemingly do it all.
Swim School proves all of this by simply being a superb album. If you’ve been a fan of them for a while, you will know to expect the same high level of quality that has existed throughout their career. If this is your introduction to them, then welcome in. You can be assured that everything else in their discography is just as good. It was never in doubt that they could translate their sound into album formats, and – if anything – it allows them more time to let their ideas breathe a little more. This is another late contender for album of the year, and I would recommend you dive into the deluxe edition.