EP REVIEW: Dancing In The Dust – Graywave

Emerging from the success of two acclaimed EPs and a signing with the legendary Church Road Records, modern shoegaze ensemble GRAYWAVE return with their third offering: Dancing In The Dust. Initially a solo project for band leader Jess Webberley, the group has since expanded to include drummer Zak Jenkins and guitarist Joe Galkowski, and their tour history boasts appearances with post-rock icons like SLOW CRUSH and BOSSK. Dancing In The Dust marks another hypnotic release, seamlessly blending influences from MY BLOODY VALENTINE and DEFTONES to contemporary acts like LOATHE, resulting in a stunning EP.

The opening track Falling Apart features DEFTONES-inspired pounding riffs and drums, looping around Webberley’s ethereal vocals. It is followed by the lead single Blur Into One, which merges shoegaze and alt-rock elements and boasts a killer guitar line reminiscent of 90s cult heroes FAILURE.

Dark Spell continues the DEFTONES homage with an opening rhythm section reminiscent of White Pony, yet maintains its uniqueness through Webberley‘s floating vocals. Undone follows a similar formula, enhanced by a soaring, angelic chorus, before venturing into 90s alt-rock territory in its final moments. Cycle builds with an eerie guitar line and dynamic vocals, culminating in crashing riffs and drums. The EP closes with the standout title track, which dives into synthwave and 80s pop while retaining the band’s signature shoegaze sound, featuring a catchy and surprisingly upbeat chorus that provides a cathartic release from the gloom of the previous tracks.

Dancing In The Dust is a stellar offering from GRAYWAVE, with must-listen tracks like Blur Into One and the title track. The band’s brilliance shines brightest when they broaden their influences, a trend they will hopefully continue in their highly-anticipated debut album.

Rating: 8/10

Dancing In The Dust is out now via Church Road Records.

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