Album Review: Swervedriver – The World’s Fair

Dreamy and atmospheric, UK Indie/Alternative Rockers Swervedriver have crafted a symphonic experience for listeners with their latest release, The World’s Fair. Resulting in a record that plays out like a film before its audience while maintaining the Shoegaze genre Swervedriver has implemented throughout their work. Formed in 1989, the current band line up consists of Adam Franklin, (vocals, rhythm and lead guitar) Jimmy Hartridge, (lead guitar) Mikey Jones, (drums, percussion) and Mike Quinn. (Bass). Produced by Swervedriver themselves, meshes harmonious hazy vocals and grunge production into a project that slowly unfolds itself as atmospheric and showcases their relevance within the Indie Rock genre.

Opening the album, the mellow driven, “Pack Yr Vision”, with distorted grunge guitars and playful arpeggios, prepares listeners for a musical journey that is often psychedelic and invites them on a dream-like trip. Adam Franklin’s vocals are trippy and hazy, adding to the whole mystical nature of the track. The use of reverb and popping harmonies within the background will enthrall listeners’ attention over and over. Fuzzy guitar tones provide a shifting heaviness to a happy and ethereal track in its percussion and rhythmic flow. Following this is the pleasantly disturbed, “Volume Control”. Opening with a dominating bassline, the track dives deeper into experimentation with key changes that make the listener wander through its atmospheric state of being. The track doesn’t stray far from traditional Indie Rock instrumentation, but builds its climax through its discordance and subtle production. The title track, “The World’s Fair,” is a change of pace, starting with a piano-laced intro, tapping into Shoegaze territory, and pushes its lazy sounding tone with an abundance of subdued vocals. Mellow and tripped out production make this one a highlighting track for listeners wanting to drift off into the unknown. The music production is airy, pleasant and intriguing. Swervedriver pushes its audience to new heights featuring harmonious melodies and ambience.

The album’s closer, “Time Attacks”, is a joyous ear worm of Power Pop featuring thumping beats and familiarity. It works as a demonstration of Swervedriver’s longevity and stamp on the Shoegaze genre. One that works as an atmospheric journey for listeners. The lingering intro of kick drums and encapsulating bass lines make for a succulent conclusion to a record that stretches the band’s musical landscape towards a broader audience while not alienating their old fans. Lyrically, the track is about the essence of time waiting for no one. It advises listeners to take chances and risks in life. Even if the results aren’t always in their favor. While it’s the shortest of The World’s Fair, it cuts through to its audience’s expectations of enjoying the ride of life. Furthermore, the lingering use of fuzz guitars and distorted production towards the end, ends with listeners yearning for more. Although The World’s Fair is a short listen at under fifteen minutes, it exemplifies Swervedriver’s familiar sound of Shoegaze while meshing with other elements such as dream pop and grunge. The album plays like a road trip before listeners and can best be experienced alone. Letting the band immerse the listener in a journey that exceeds their expectations and pushes boundaries beyond their musical limitations.

The World’s Fair is a solid release from Swervedriver’s extensive career, illustrating the band’s ambition and drive that stands out from the crowd of other Shoegaze bands. Trippy and psychedelic, the musical journey Swervedriver takes its audience on is authentic and relatable to listeners’ experiences in finding themselves. Swervedriver immerses them into a landscape that is often engaging, dreamy and grounded. Although the record may not be groundbreaking in emphasizing Shoegaze genre further within the Indie Rock world; it is a record that is punchy and authentic all on its own. The World’s Fair is a highly recommended release for Swervedriver fans and those who enjoy nostalgia elements that bring audiences together. Like many of Swervedriver’s companions within the Shoegaze genre, they have proven to be a band that will continue surpassing listeners’ expectations. Age, time and their experiences in songwriting and producing have honed in on crafting a record that will be remembered for many years and beyond.