Vagrant

Rogue Wave’s sound doesn’t take a single form. It’s dreamy, atmospheric, swirly, fuzzy, gothic, psychedelic, droning, cathartic and melancholy, but also poppy, hook-laden and bouncy. Much of their new album seems heavily indebted to the ‘80s shoegazing movement, channeling the likes of Mazzy Star, Spiritualized, Curve and Low. Songs like album opener “No Magnatone” and “Everyone Wants To Be You” drift gently along, gradually building into a turbulent fray of feedback, swirl and emotion. Led by Zach Schwartz (aka Zach Rogue), “College” takes another approach, flying out of the gate with quirky, hooky rhythms, bouncy beats and all the right indierock inflections. “Siren’s Song” captures both aspects – a cross between My Bloody Valentine and Portugal. The Man – with fuzzy guitars, high-pitched vocals and the sweet harmonies of Schwartz and Jules Baenziger. In further contrast, “Without Pain” is a folk-psych beauty. Perhaps Rogue Wave’s strongest album yet, Nightingale Floors’ stylistic diversity should find plenty of receptive ears.