Canadian indie quintet Alvvays have released the first taste of their sophomore album Antisocialities (8 September), which seems poised to thread in the same sonic and thematic vein of their self-titled debut album. "In Undertow" thus serves as another perfectly agreeable score for a wistful reverie, with lead singer Molly Rankin dwelling articulately once again on matters of the (unrequited) heart: “This record is a fantasy breakup arc and my life nearly imitated art.” It's a thoughtful breakup song that follows an unspecified turning point ('There's no turning back after what's been said') caused by an unforgivable act:
'You find a wave and try to hold on for as long as you can
You made a mistake you'd like to erase and I understand
What's next for you and me?
I'll take suggestions we toss and turn in undertow
Time to let go'
Lyrics: Genius
There is no turning back, but the journey onward also seems rather smooth-sailing with Rankin's lightly melancholic vocals and the track's sunny and jangly dream pop instrumentation. The first two verses also pack in some playful mentions of astrology, rhetorical questions, metaphorical answers, psychology and possible humdrum future endeavours: 'Meditate, play solitaire, take up self defense'. Rankin sings 'What's left for you and me?' twice, before answering a different iteration of the question ('What's next for you and me') herself. If only more real life partings could take place on such high notes.
