ALVVAYS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: In February 2024, just shy of the tenth anniversary of Alvvays' self-titled debut, Archie, Marry Me hit one hundred million streams on a single platform. This milestone is significant for an indie band that began writing in a remote Canadian farmhouse, reflecting the song's relatable themes of societal expectations and financial struggles. To celebrate a decade of their distinct jangle-pop sound, Alvvays is remastering and reissuing their debut album with the addition of the deep cut 'Underneath Us.' From the infectious 'Adult Diversion' to the dreamy closer 'Red Planet,' the album offers a concise yet impactful collection of tracks. Alvvays delivers timeless melodies and introspective lyrics that explore themes of love, secrecy, and societal pressure. 'Next of Kin' addresses loving someone to death, while 'The Agency Group' delves into the destructive nature of hidden truths. The remastered tracks retain their original charm, with the sparkling 'Dives' and noise-laden 'The Agency Group' standing out.

Review: Toronto's Alvvays return for a much anticipated third album five years after their breakthrough record, Antisocialite. As the story goes for so many bands, the last few years have thrown a number of curveballs their way, but they stepped into the studio with Shawn Everett in October 2021 and laid down their new tracks in immediate, urgent fashion. You can hear Everett's touch all over the production, bringing vibrant textures and subtle details into their sound, but at the heart this remains a vehicle for shimmering, electrically-charged songwriting. On Blue Rev Alvvays stake their claim in the premier league of modern day indie rock, and on the strength of these fourteen songs, who are we to argue?