In troubled times only music speaks the truth says an old proverb and it’s a very accurate one. The last twelve months may have been incredibly difficult but the music has been excellent. A real silver lining and a beacon of hope in the dark times filled by the economic crisis, political turmoil and fake news spreading on social media.
What’s most important for the first time in a really long while is that music made by women is finally being recognized. Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Arianna Grande are on top of the pop charts. The independent scene flourished in 2020 thanks to Jehnny Beth, Nadine Shah, Fiona Apple and Arlo Parks to name a few, and our local unsigned/emerging circuit is no exception. I can easily name at least two dozen female singers that you need to listen to, starting with Chloe Mogg, Redwood (Ellie Williams), Genie Mendez of Lycio and Graywave.
Birmingham based Graywave is the moniker of singer/songwriter and artist, Jess Webberley. She has been slowly building a steady fanbase in the West Midlands, releasing singles since 2019 and playing a number of live shows. The pandemic hasn’t slowed her one bit. In June she released her well received single ‘With Me’ which received wide-spread radio play, and now she is finishing “the lost year” with another great track.
Titled ‘Like Heaven’ the song is a feast for lovers of cold wave and shoegaze. It has everything that the genres are famous for – a beautiful melody, ethereal atmosphere and dream-like vocals. And it has to be said, Jess has one hell of a voice. Subtle and sweet, pleasing and demanding, strong and meek, this girl is a master of using different tones and timbre. She knows exactly how to express emotion, how to control the music with just her voice. It’s a rare skill that takes years of practice to get it right.
Just like its predecessor, ‘Like Heaven’ should do very well on the radio. It is a bit more experimental than ‘With Me’ but still very listener friendly. My only complaint is about the mix. The vocals are a bit quieter in certain moments and the audio track a bit too loud but it’s a minor grumble of a music obsessive.
5 out of 5, 10/10, A+, a golden star, choose your own rating.
Remember the name and be ready as Graywave’s debut EP (‘Planetary Shift’) lands early next year.