Smitten (Pale Waves album)

Smitten is the upcoming fourth studio album by English rock band Pale Waves. It is scheduled for release on September 20, 2024, via the independent record label Dirty Hit.

Writing
In late 2023, Kerrang! magazine asked the band's lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie about the album that would become Smitten, to which she replied: "All of my attention and energy is going into writing and recording our best album yet. Ultimately, that's about building a world that feels like Pale Waves, while also feeling completely different to anywhere we’ve inhabited before. We’re creating another universe for our fans to explore, and for us to live in for a moment."

Music and lyrics
Smitten opens with "Glasgow", which lyrically discusses the dilemma of "leaving someone because you know it's no good for either of you anymore". Musically, the track has been described as "bittersweet" and "'80s-sounding", with a "soaring" chorus.

"Perfume" explores the excitement of new love and the "complexity that comes with the beginning of a relationship". Opening "with lead vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie letting out a wordless wail reminiscent of The Cranberries over a jangly, rhythmic guitar", the song has been compared by Atwood Magazine to the retro-pop sound of Pale Wave's early releases.

Promotion and singles
On 24 May 2024, Pale Waves performed at the 100 Club in London under the pseudonym "Perfume" as part of Dork magazine's "Dork Night Out" event series; at this concert, they debuted the song of the same name. "Perfume" was later released as the first single from Smitten, debuting on BBC Radio 1's "New Music Show" with Jack Saunders on 12 June 2024. A video for the track, directed by Kelsi Luck, was also released at this time, alongside an announcement about the album itself. "Perfume" eventually peaked at number 13 on Billboard Japan's Hot Overseas chart.

The second single from the album, "Glasgow", was released on 12 July 2024, along with an accompanying music video, which features Heather Baron-Gracie packing a suitcase and driving off in a car, all while clad in a wedding dress.

To promote Smitten, Pale Waves organized a headline tour of the UK, which is scheduled to run from October 3 to October 17, 2024.

Personnel
Pale Waves
 * Heather Baron-Gracie – vocals, guitar
 * Ciara Doran – drums
 * Hugo Silvani – guitar
 * Charlie Wood – bass

Additional musicians
 * Simon Oscroft - guitar, bass guitar, drums, programming

Technical
 * Simon Oscroft – production
 * Iain Berryman – production
 * Oli Jacobs – mixing engineer
 * Fraser Latimer – assistant mixing engineer
 * Ruairí O'Flaherty – Mastering engineer