The Brooklyn music scene over the last 15 years has changed dramatically and often, moving further East to the point where it might now be in Queens, and some of the biggest names of the ’00s now call Silverlake home. Yet Nicole Schneit, is still here, still writing simple, honest, direct guitar pop as Air Waves. If that makes it sound boring, it is not. Nicole has a way of getting to the heart of things with the fewest words and chords possible that sinks in quick, and they’ve gained a reputation as a musician’s musician. Having signed with Fire Records, home of The Chills, The Bevis Frond and Throwing Muses, Air Waves have released their first album for the label and Nicole gets some help from Cass McCombs, Luke Temple, Frankie Cosmos and others. Cass McCombs who duets with Nicole on “Alien,” you might not even realize there are any guests on the record at all. Nicole’s songs continue to feature the sparest of arrangements gently strummed guitar, light keyboards and backing vocals, minimalistic drumming — that keep the focus on her way with melody and low-key but emotive delivery.
Heady with hooks and unforgettable melodies, gliding on deeply danceable grooves, always with Air Waves’ innate compassion, concision and uncanny pop sense shining throughout. A masterpiece that’s beautifully simple, instantly accessible and entirely addictive. Also on the album, Skyler Skjelset (Fleet Foxes, Beach House), Brian Betancourt (Hospitality, Sam Evian), Rina Mushonga, Lispector, David Christian, Ethan Sass, and Ben Florencio.
‘The Dance’ has waited three years to see the light of day and it comes to us now, blinking, smiling in the widening light of 2022 feeling more needed and necessary but also more joyous than ever before. It’s both a snapshot of these songs as they were recorded but crucially, in the intervening time those songs have had additional arrangements crafted by Nicole, created remotely and virtually, with a few like-minded collaborators. The result is simultaneously Air Waves freshest, most spontaneous yet finessed album yet.
You won’t find a better soundtrack for the solidarity, strength, romance and movement we all need right now than ‘The Dance’ – Air Waves’ is their best album yet.
Released September 9th, 2022
The Fat Angel Sings 