Hypatia

Lovely, dreamy, surfy shoegaze from Wray’s sophomore effort Hypatia. The album packs in more melody and less reverb than typical shoegaze in a really accessible package that echoes strongly of DIIV. The album features plenty of wandering, oozing guitar-heavy songs with washed out vocals. They rely of some good, steady drum work to propel some of the slower songs along. Had to include song recommendations, but honestly totally cohesive album! All songs maintain a consistent dreamy feel perfect for a beachy playlist.

RIYL: Lotus Plaza; Local Natives; Beach Fossils; If you’ve ever wished DIIV and Real Estate had a bastard child adopted by My Bloody Valentine, check this out.
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Recommended Tracks: 3, 5, 9, 10

1. (2:50) Below - Warbling strumming. Beachy, very Local Natives blissful intro, clear vocals
2. (3:49) Giant - Upbeat strumming. More upbeat, some tinges of electric-edges, layered dreamy vocals, extended guitar solo beginning at 2:00
3. (3:52) Hypatia** –Jangly strumming. Sweet track! Righteous, clearer vocals, thundering drum line, very Real Estate feels
4. (0:49) Plus - Thoughtful strumming. Dark instrumental track, mostly quiet
5. (2:49) May 23rd* – Reverberating strumming. Electric guitar walls, mellow lyrics, climactic exciting finale, wicked jangling guitar solo
6. (4:12) Regular – Fun strumming. Relaxed guitar tune, smooth vocals, prolonged instrumental portion from 1:30, pace builds into echoing solos
7. (2:34) Diamond Gym - Chill strumming. Instrumental, electric track with pace increase at 1:15
8. (3:35) Shiva - Tighter strumming. Distant vocals, more constrained instrumentation on this one, hooky electric guitar for chorus
9. (4:20) Pined* - Crunchy strumming. Downbeat strumming intro, higher vocals, catchy hook, great guitar work
10. (3:39) Jennifer** - Hypnotic strumming. Patient drumming, MBVesque electric break at 1:15, wistful vocals, cyclical rhythms, extended outro starting at 3:00
11. (1:31) Dymaxion Dream - Instrumental strumming, mostly filler track
12. (4:01) Mountains Minding - Heavier chords, thundering building bass, Synthy outro, jangling strumming