Album Review: Heavy Salad - Long Wave I/II

British band Heavy Salad has made a triumphant return with not one but two albums: 'Long Wave I' and 'Long Wave II'. Recorded over the span of 2021 to 2023, these albums emerged from the solitude of the first lockdown, resulting in a collection of 18 vibrant and eclectic tracks.

The collaboration between lead singer/bassist Lee Mann and producers Christophe Bride and Stephen Street has yielded a musical journey that traverses various genres, including West Coast Rock, synthpop, Dub, Folk Rock, and more. Inspired by legendary albums such as Beastie Boys' 'Hello Nasty' and The Clash's 'Sandinista', Heavy Salad's latest offering is a testament to their experimental spirit and willingness to push musical boundaries.

Guest appearances from Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson of A Certain Ratio add depth to the albums, while guitarist Rob Glennie's creative vision infuses each track with a distinct ambiance. Glennie describes the creative process as imagining the songs broadcasting from a beat-up long wave radio on a deserted tropical island, a concept that adds an intriguing layer to the listening experience.

Thematically, 'Long Wave I' and 'Long Wave II' delve into the complexities of life, death, and the human experience in the tumultuous landscape of the early 21st Century. Mann reflects on the lyrical themes, highlighting the album's exploration of the strangeness of lockdown and the collective yearning for connection in an increasingly paranoid world.

'Long Wave I' offers a glimpse into the sonic tapestry crafted by Heavy Salad. Tracks like "Exotic Events" enchant with synths-based mastery, while "Write to the Dead" showcases the band's prowess in the indie rock space. "Joggers from Mossley to Malibu Beach" takes listeners on a psychedelic journey, while the album closes with "I Am The Universe Tonight", a sublime ending to the journey of the album.

Heavy Salad's latest albums are a testament to their evolution as musicians and storytellers. 'Long Wave I' and 'Long Wave II' stand as bold, genre-defying works that invite listeners to embark on a musical journey like no other.