Chicago’s Fauvely is back with their sophomore album, Tides. Over the course of 8 haunting tracks, Tides transports listeners to the salty coast of frontwoman Sophie’s hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
The album fades into existence with “Tributary,” a track that crashes over you like waves. It’s an ethereal, sparkling introduction to an album that turns a little bolder, and a little darker as it plays out. “Tributary” leads into album standout, and personal favorite, “Haunts Me”, a sparse, yet resolute, track.
Vocalist Sophie Brochu has a tenor that at times truly reminds me of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan. The addition of violin brings another dimension to Tides–woeful at times, and energizing at others. The band matches Brochu’s dynamic, backing off and giving her the spotlight during more sparse parts of the album. Throughout Tides, the band shows great restraint and respect for Brochu’s vision; her vocals and lyricism are in the forefront with the band offering a soft, comfortable bed for them to lay in.
“Wherever You Go” concludes the album on a light, delicate note. It feels like a lullaby.
Tides feels like the best parts of ’90s alt rock. It’s a deeply personal album, but also louder, bolder, and more confident than her debut, Watch Me Overcomplicate This. While this album is about vocalist Sophie Brochu’s home of Savannah, it’s also, more encompassingly, just about home.
Much like its namesake, Tides is an album that ebbs and flows. It is both soft and loud, it is both delicate and haunting.