waveform* // Last Room

Self-Released

4 out of 5 stars

For the uninitiated, waveform* is a Connecticut-based duo that makes noise. I say "noise," specifically, because the music they create seems impossible to classify in a singular genre. Take hooky songwriting, coat it in layers of reverb and DIY charm, add some alluring photography-based artwork, and you have a waveform* album. It's what made 2019's Shooting Star one of the best albums of the year, and fortunately, their new release, Last Room, follows suit. Decidedly less weird than its predecessor, Last Room highlights the band's strength as songwriters, with tracks like "Favorite Song" and "Shooting Star" incorporating more acoustic instrumentation with a distinct Western flair. Still, what makes Last Room nearly as masterful as its predecessor is the variety it presents; the aforementioned songs are strategically placed between grungy power-pop numbers like "Tell You" and "Blue Disaster," which is led by an eerie, unforgettable synth riff. With Last Room, waveform* continues to succeed at what they do best: creating genre-defying albums that play as truly unique experiences. And no other band is doing it quite like they do.
— Aaron Mook