Wavves’ You’re Welcome is the perfect summer soundtrack

The sun is out, the beach is calling, and it’s time to pick your 2017 summer jams. Wavves’ You’re Welcome is the perfect soundtrack for the warm days ahead.

It’s a great week for new music! As the weather warms up and schools let out, it’s time for beach trips, road trips, and backyard barbecues with friends. Summertime is the best time to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine.

Wavves’ new album, You’re Welcome, is a literal embodiment of summer. For fans of the band, that isn’t a surprise. Since Wavves formed in San Diego in 2008, they’ve taken “surf rock” to new heights.

You’re Welcome stands out for its careful balance between catchy pop melodies, harmonious vocals and noisy instrumentals. The album is a quick ride from start to finish, with 12 tracks totalling at about 35 minutes — the perfect length for an afternoon drive with the windows down.

Opening track “Daisy” will get stuck in your head as soon as you hear it. It starts You’re Welcome off strong, with a hard-hitting melody and catchy chorus that doesn’t immediately reveal the semi-dark nature of the lyrics.

"They’re shooting at me, grinning through their teethNot hitting a thingDespite what it might mean, I’m not worryingGrinning through my teeth— Wavves, “Daisy”"

This balance of light and dark continues through the rest of You’re Welcome, especially on tracks like “Million Enemies” and “Animal”. Vocalist Nathan Williams hits all the right notes, backed by guitarist Alex Gates, bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Brian Hill. The harmonies on You’re Welcome are excellent, invoking Pet Sounds but with more distortion.

For Wavves fans, You’re Welcome is a great addition to the band’s nearly decade-long catalog. It’s their sixth LP and one of their strongest. It’s also a great introduction to new fans who may not be familiar with Wavves’ music but want to listen to an inventive, creative, boundary-pushing pop punk band.

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Summer’s nearly here. Don’t miss out on one of the best albums of the season! You can stream You’re Welcome on Spotify.