REVIEW

Third EP from UK shoegaze band Graywave.

Originally Jess Webberley’s solo project, Graywave has grown into a four-piece with Zak Jenkins (drums), Oliver Beardmore (guitar), and Joe Galkowski (bass). From the lush dream-pop/shoegaze of their debut EP to the heavier direction hinted at in their second, this third EP fully embraces darkness, incorporating trip-hop, darkwave, and heavy metal elements.

Jess Webberley’s vocals, inspired by Chelsea Wolfe and Emma Ruth Rundle, shift effortlessly between haunting low tones and ethereal beauty, adding depth to the EP’s shadowy soundscape. The guitars are both heavy and twisting, yet coated in a shimmering layer that keeps the shoegaze essence intact. The melodies are not just beautiful—they’re bewitching and unsettling, appealing not only to indie/shoegaze fans but also to headbangers and gothic music lovers alike. No wonder she counts Type O Negative among her favorites.

Standout track #2 "Blur Into One" perfectly embodies dark shoegaze: crushingly heavy yet retaining the dreamy elegance of Slowdive or Cocteau Twins. It’s easily one of the best tracks of the year. #6 "Dancing in the Dust" brings a post-punk/darkwave dance vibe, revealing a side that feels like CHVRCHES or Pale Waves—but turned all the way up, heavier and darker than expected.

Graywave continues to expand their reach, contributing backing vocals to new tracks by UK dark shoegaze duo Zetra and signing with UK/EU tour agencies. They’ve also expressed plans to release a full-length album in the coming years, which makes following their progress even more exciting. Fans of Chelsea Wolfe, King Woman, and Slow Crush should definitely check this one out.