REVIEW

The third full-length album from California-based shoegaze band Cold Gawd also marks their second release since joining the influential Dais Records roster. Originally launched in 2020 as a solo project by Matt Wainwright, Cold Gawd had previously been defined by a fully self-performed approach. On this album, however, the involvement of a full band in the recording process appears to have introduced a more physical sense of weight and dynamic movement, elevating the overall sound to a new level.

The opening track, “Gorgeous,” erupts with Wainwright’s unmistakable roar, immediately pulling the listener into this reinvigorated incarnation of Cold Gawd. From “Portland” through “Malibu Beach House,” the album’s core strengths come into sharp focus: bulldozer-like walls of heavy guitar set against emotionally charged vocals, creating a tension that has become central to the band’s identity.

In particular, the melancholic tone shaped by the interplay between lead guitar lines and vocal melodies stands out as one of the record’s defining features. Given that Wainwright has cited Whirr’s “Feels Like You” as a key influence, this sense of harmony-driven melancholy feels both intentional and convincingly realized.

Listening with eyes closed, the album can evoke an unsettling yet immersive imagery—as if lying at the bottom of an open grave, funeral music drifting above, suspended between despair and release. The decision to place more dreamlike tracks toward the latter half of the record, gently guiding the listener toward a sense of ascension, further reinforces its carefully considered flow.

This album can reasonably be cited as one of the standout melancholic shoegaze releases of the year. Fans of Whirr, Life on Venus, or Newmoon may find it particularly rewarding.