Afraid of Heights

Wavves' fourth studio album, because of its poor financial performance, would end up being their last under the label Warner Music.

However, in spite of its minimal success, the record includes some of the most introspective and in-depth lyrics and melodies the band has put on wax. Lead singer Nathan Williams often masks the sadness and self-deprecation he repeatedly brings to his audience with attention-grabbing riffs and drums those dare the listener to keep up with the fast-moving nature of this LP.

While this album’s sales and its critical reception would end up paling in comparison to their best received albums, such as King of the Beach, the band members performances are considered by fans to be much more passionate and intimate with the audience: so, they feel it’s an album truly made for them.

Following a brief interview with the group, Interview Magazine gave their own description of the album:

For his fourth LP (he’s 26), Williams and longtime cohort Stephen Pope (formerly a guitarist for indie hero Jay Reatard) spent an entire year in the studio. The result is a more melodic, sometimes even upbeat album, which clings tight to the twisted positivity Williams has preached from the beginning. There’s a silver lining, sure, but it’s masked by a much darker outlook: “I can finally sleep, but I can’t dream,” Williams offers in one song’s refrain. On another catchy hook, he yells, “Woke up and found Jesus, I think I must be drunk.” Afraid of Heights highlights a new sonic approach for Williams, but the tone remains consistent.