Album Review: ALBUM REVIEW: Windwaker - 'Love Language'

Windwaker have brought a level of sonic maturity as well as an ability for experimentation and boldness of sound you rarely see on a debut album. This kind of comfortability in exactly who you are as a group mixed with confidence in your uniqueness is usually learned from years of releasing music. Let me say it again, this is a debut record. I truly believe 'Love Language' is a masterpiece. It skips through softness & heavy in a way you couldn't expect & despite every track sounding different to the last, there's a synchronised fluidity throughout. I'll go through track by track as I always do. Although, if this opening statement hasn't got you to hit play, what will? Perhaps the 5-star review? Or the fact that it's beaten many other fantastic releases this week to get The Faction feature album? Go on, hit play. You know you want to! Enjoy my notes for each song as you do.

BEAUTIFUL

The first single we heard & first taste of 'Love Language'. The band first debuted this song to Knight & Day goers over New Year's Eve as they opened their mammoth set with it. It was also their opener on Windwaker's tour earlier this year so really, everything about this track has been setting the tone for the album since day one. Vocalist Will King captivates you from the first moment with his incredible talent that echoes throughout the track. The song has twists & turns with an almost scat/rap moment, ending in a filthy breakdown & showing you that there is no limit to what they might touch on the album from song number one.

LUCY

This was the another single we received & similar to the first it's predominately led by clean vocals. The chorus is so catchy & will definitely have you singing along. Lucy absolutely exploded on streaming platforms & is so far the most listened to from the record. Perhaps that's due to the fact that it's one of the most familiar sounding to what we have heard from Windwaker in the past? Or it's just a straight banger. Either way, you'll love it if you don't already.

NIGHTHAWK

This is such an incredibly catchy song. The production from Chris Lalic on this track is exceptional. It has the same energy & almost a similar arrangement to a hard EDM track! But then there's a breakdown. This is one of the ones that prove Windwaker are creating their own sound & throwing out expectations. I can envision this going OFF in a live setting as well. A whole crowd jumping up and down as the chorus rings 'get up into the moment & step up, make it your own'. Bring it on.

DOPAMINE FREESTYLE

Holy crap what a track. I don't even know how to put this song into a genre basket...rapcore? This will be the first to REALLY take you by surprise. In my interview with Indey last week he called this out as one of the tracks he was most excited for you all to hear. My only gripe with this track is GIMME ANOTHER 2 MINUTES! It's not long enough!

ME + YOU, BUT MOSTLY ME

The only thing I love almost as much as a key change is a transition. Dopamine Freestyle transitions perfectly into the beginning of this song which makes it feel like one big moment & makes the shortness of DF accepted. This has a lighter feel than the last & really solidified on my first listen that you'll literally be on the edge of your seat the whole record. The drums in this track are a huge moment, along with the falsetto vocals. By no surprise as well this chorus is JUST. SO. DAMN. CATCHY!

GLOW

Another single we received prior to the album launch. This song starts in one place & ends in a completely different place. The music video for this song is out of control. This song has some of the softest moments on the record as well as some of the most elevated vocal moments. The track will leave you with a sense of inspiration.

TRENCHES

I don't even know where to start. If I just say the words 'get me in a pit' does that help to explain it? This song is BRUTAL. The guttural screams are hypnotic. To be catapulted from the sweet emotional moment of Glow into this was jarring on first listen. However, it stands out so much as such an incredible song that you're captivated and enjoying it so much it's forgotten quickly. Each member's talent shines through in this track in its own way & all legacy fans saying 'Windwaker don't do heavy anymore' will be eating their words.

SUPERSTITIOUS FANTASY

The last single we received before the album was released & was the heaviest of the 4. An expertly executed hardcore song that is outside any box. There are a number of twists in this song & Jesse Crofts melodic guitar work throughout is delightful. There are elements where you will throw down, there are elements where you will passionately sing falsetto into the air. Similar to 'Beautiful' the depth of genre switching on this track encapsulates the records tone in one song.

SILVER LININGS

An interlude & a special intimate moment we should feel so blessed to be able to hear. The interlude features Cassidy Elke in a raw conversation that we might assume is a voicemail left for her partner, Will. Her sweet voice candidly explaining her mental health struggles is so relatable. Anyone experiencing moments where they feel like they need to 'be better soon' knows it's not always easy to be able to articulate how that feels for yourself. Elke does that so well & although you won't get a 'song' from this, you should give it your energy because it's quite precious & very moving.

LOVE LANGUAGE

An absolutely beautiful track, the 'ballad' of the album if you will. I love that the interlude led into this. There are so many elements to this that make it special. Keys to open the song, the guitar played with an orchestral feel, backup vocals that have you wondering if its strings and a solo in the middle that feels both unique and appropriate. The lyrical content 'tell me is this real or is it fake?'  is going to make for beautiful crowd participation moments at future shows. I cannot speak higher of this beautiful song.

HIDE & SEEK

The last heavy vocal moments on the album & again a completely different song from the last. There are real 'nu-metal' moments in this song. You know, why not throw respect to another genre? I know I keep saying this but this one is also SOOOO catchy. There's a 'high energy' on this track that will make it a stand-out for a lot of listeners, I'm sure.

THE RAIN

Does anyone else not want this album to end? I don't. This one is a poppier bop throughout the verses. The lyrical content on this one as the record fades out makes it the perfect closing song. 'Farewell, my friend, I'll see you again. I guess we don't know where I'm going, but this isn't the end.' Could better closing lyrics exist? The fade-out with Lalic's drums is the perfect ending & if you're anything like me, when the album re-starts with 'Beautiful' you'll let it play over again & just keep repeating 'Love Language' for the foreseeable future.

Pick yourself up a copy of Love Language now, stream the hell out of it. Do whatever you can to help Windwaker chart as high as possible for their debut album! It deserves it.