The 1990s are inseparable from the rise of grunge, a raw, rebellious force in alternative rock that became synonymous with the era, especially in the United States. Angst-ridden bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam served as a direct counterattack to the glam-fueled, party-rock excesses of the ’80s. Meanwhile, across the pond, Britain’s alternative scene turned to the past for inspiration, drawing from the experimental sounds of the 1960s and early ’70s. This fusion of krautrock and avant-garde birthed the dreamy, boundary-pushing world of shoegaze, which ultimately paved the way for the explosive Britpop movement. But while grunge became a trope, the UK’s alternative still surges forward, hitting new heights.
This is more than evident on Collider, the electrifying sophomore album from Soundwire.
Formed in Wales during the mid-2010s, Soundwire boasts pivotal members whose musical foundations are deeply entrenched in the rich tapestry of the UK alternative scene. Simon Court for example is a former member of the early ’90s band The Sweetest Ache, share a unique history with me—one that profoundly shaped my approach to music from a young age (an account of which can be read about here). However, this new band is far from a mere exercise in nostalgia or retro homage. Rather, a project represents a forward-thinking, organic evolution of the movement.
Without question, Soundwire pushes boundaries and innovates within the landscape its members helped shape.
“Connexions” opens the album with a pulsating synth riff that steadily builds in tension. As Court’s delivery channels both Bobby Gillespie and Jim Reid, that tension dissolves into a vast, stardust-filled expanse. The mood shifts with “Heretic,” as it conveys sleazier aesthetic through a gnarly, distorted bass riff. A dramatic transformation follows with “Kill The Lights,” a shoegaze ballad that channels a Beatles-que sensibility. The song offers a rare glimpse of hopefulness, which is something of an unexpected and comforting element in the typically surreal landscape of psychedelia.
Speaking of psychedelia, Collider was produced and mixed by the legendary Thighpaulsandra (known for his work with Spiritualized and Coil) and mastered by Ian Button of Death in Vegas. The collaboration is immediately apparent in the album’s rich, lived-in sound. However, despite its lush production, Collider never feels obnoxiously polished or overblown. Even in moments of intense chaos, every sound remains distinct and purposeful. Without fail, no instrument vies for too much attention.
Soundwire easily goes from feeling like a garage rehearsal to transcendental soundscapes drifting through the dying embers of a collapsing star.
Collider is a sonic journey that effortlessly weaves together krautrock and dreamy shoegaze. It also delivers enough Britpop to hit the perfect sweet spot. Beneath layers of entrancing guitar drones and shimmering synths, the melodies shine with precision and depth. They music pulls the listener into an immersive experience as complex as it is captivating. Every track delivers something fresh so monotony is never an issue. With a sharp sense of cohesion and a killer set of hooks, Collider has swiftly secured its place as one of my favorite albums of the year.
Collider is available on vinyl from Sister9 Recordings in the UK and Little Cloud Records in the US.