REVIEW

The debut album from Thai shoegaze band Slowwves.

Formed in Bangkok in 2023, Slowwves released this first full-length via Japan’s long-established label P-VINE. The current lineup consists of Jill (Iya Ngoentaweekoon) on vocals and guitar, Peem (Juckapob Lamulpak) on guitar, and Jump (Pawaris Chotnikhom) on drums. Peem initially met Jill through a mutual friend and was drawn to her musical sensibility; the band solidified its present form when Jump joined following a Slowdive tribute event.

Though all members are still in their early twenties, Slowwves quickly attracted attention among shoegaze listeners with their debut single “Anywhere Else,” released on March 1, 2024. The band’s name derives from “slow-wave sleep,” evoking the calm and stillness of deep rest—a fitting metaphor for their sound. Citing influences such as Slowdive, Mazzy Star, Megumi Acorda, and Zweed n’ Roll, the trio crafts a style that is both dreamy and weighty.

Their music appears to merge Wisp’s ethereal haze with the denser, more grounded heaviness associated with acts like Glixen, while emphasizing fluid lead lines and expressive guitar solos. This balance between atmosphere and melodic clarity forms the core of Slowwves’ identity. Where Wisp often leans toward angelic or fairy-like fantasy, Slowwves suggests a more realistic and decadent aesthetic, grounded in melancholy rather than escapist gloss.

Jill’s vocal performance is particularly striking. Her voice, delicate yet resolute, suggests a faint but persistent light cutting through the darkness of a closed-off, directionless modern landscape. In this sense, the album title “Perfect Evasion” feels apt: the record offers a temporary release from the pressures of reality without denying their weight.

Highlighted tracks

#1 “Anywhere Else”
Built around a wistful lead guitar and a soft vocal line that seems to dissolve into the quiet of the night, the song’s refrain—“I wanna be there with you / just run away”—captures the band’s emotional core. It stands as a concise statement of Slowwves’ aesthetic and one of the album’s defining moments.

#2 “Labyrinth”
A faster-paced track driven by sharper guitar riffs, “Labyrinth” injects a sense of motion into the album. The surge from the guitar solo into the final chorus suggests a live favorite in the making.

#3 “SWS”
Named after slow-wave sleep, the track unfolds at a relaxed tempo, gently oscillating between deep rest and shallow awakening. The result evokes a state where dreams and reality begin to blur.

#5 “Sen”
The title references Spirited Away, drawing from the protagonist Chihiro’s given name, “Sen.” With lyrics closely tied to the film’s narrative, this track rewards careful listening. Its bittersweet chorus leaves a lingering emotional impression.

#7 “Evangeline”
A collaboration with Thanakarn Tangjaiyen of fellow Bangkok shoegaze band Death of Heather, the song is structured as a vocal handoff: Slowwves leads the first half before passing the spotlight to their guest. The track concludes with a unison surge of reverberant noise, bringing the album to a cathartic close.

Taken as a whole, this is an impressively cohesive debut, underscoring the strength of a new generation of Asian shoegaze artists. Its melodic accessibility also makes it a suitable entry point for listeners new to the genre.

Beyond the record itself, Slowwves are steadily expanding their presence both domestically and internationally. In Thailand, they have supported Wisp’s Bangkok show alongside Death of Heather, while also sharing stages with Japanese acts such as AprilBlue, Asunojokei, Suichu Spica, and cephalo. Their upcoming appearance at SXSW Sydney 2025 further suggests growing international momentum.

With Japanese tour dates already confirmed in support of “Perfect Evasion,” Slowwves appear well positioned to serve as a bridge between the Japanese and global shoegaze scenes—an evolution well worth following.

More information : Slowwves’ Japan shows