The self-titled EP from Where’s Gladys is a standout project that showcases the band’s impressive range of influences, styles, and tempos. Combining elements of indie-rock with gritty garage-rock, the EP bursts out of the gate with something unassuming before going forward with a verve and force and never fails to captivate your attention. From the airy and atmospheric opening of “Out of Air” onwards, you’re placed into this hazy world. As you move into tunes like “So Insecure”, the ballads become more pronounced, a bit more dreamy, luscious, and endearing even. With a crisp and punchy electric guitar solo here, you feel the influence of the more heavier rock elements come in after what was till then a distinctly indie rock piece.
The entire record feels gritty, but not in a rough way. There’s a sincerity, a nostalgic backdrop that gives each track its real character and purpose. It feels simultaneously like a 90s, 00s, 70s, and 20s record all at once. There’s a desire to experiment, perhaps most well done on tunes like “Sleepwalk” which oscillate between building and resting, creating a tension while still being incredibly restrained.
Each song is pieced together with a rawness in the instrumentation and an expressiveness in the vocals that even when not perfect, feels all that more real. . The band’s ability to seamlessly blend different rock genres together gives them their own style, a sound that feels distinctively owned and purposed by them and them alone.
This is a record to relax to, without a doubt. There’s something so serene about each tune, even when it starts to veer into harder elements. “Where’s Gladys” are here to change your perceptions about indie rock.