Wavves
V
GHOST RAMP/WARNER
5/10
For beachgoers, San Diego’s limitless supply of sunshine never gets old. From the sound of V, Wavves aren’t tiring of their version of that formula either. The city’s indie-surf sons have emerged from the garage once again with seemingly upbeat, jangly songs contrasted by depressing lyrics revolving around losing your job (“All the Same”), losing your girl (“My Head Hurts”), losing your friends (“Cry Baby”), and losing your life (“Flamezesz”). But this time around, they’re back with controversy in tow—thanks to frontman Nathan Williams’ Twitter-bashing of his record label. That’s not a surprise to anyone who’s seen him throw Pete Doherty-worthy antics onstage, or to those who have listened to him whine while crooning, as he does on “Way Too Much” (“I’m just stumbling / And I’m looking for a purpose / I’m just leaning / And it’s coming to the surface too much / Always thinking too much / This conversation is getting boring / I’ve given up and now I’m on the ground”). With V, Wavves haven’t completely given up yet, but they certainly aren’t trying anything new, either.
