The appropriately titled Slowdive takes the qualities of the band’s first two releases to streamline, expand, and freshen that sound for the twenty-first century. It acts as the true follow-up to the band’s masterpiece Souvlaki after nearly twenty-five years since its release. In an attempt to please newcomers and established fans alike, the album succeeds at exploring new realms for Slowdive. This isn't done in the abstract manner of previous effort Pygmalion from 1995, technically the predecessor of this. A follow-up to that musical direction may or may not come at some point, but this album is largely not meant to continue in that minimalistic, ambient excursion. It can suit a wide array of emotions and listening moods, having the traditional slow-building, hazy tracks and more up-tempo ones as well. The beautiful seven-minute epic “Slomo” was a bold choice to begin the album. A looping drum beat and bass line kick it off with atmospherics, dreamy guitars, and vocals all gradually swirling into the mix. It’s a layered, hazy masterpiece that carries a hypnotic quality while still varying up the sounds to prevent stagnation. This is the mantra of the entire album, being surprisingly dynamic with nothing sounding out of place. Every note played feels like it belongs, and avoids coming across as gimmicky or pandering to a specific audience. Following the opener is the band’s most playful song to date, “Star Roving,” a delightful flirtation with post-punk revival and one of the most rewarding surprises on the record. Much of the album explores different moods, but exorcises some of the bleakness that can be found on the first three records.

Still, much of it carries a melancholic tone, like the wistful 'No Longer Making Time,' and “Sugar for the Pill” in particular dripping with regret. Gently picked guitar melodies support Neil Halstead’s despondent singing for an overwhelmingly sorrowful atmosphere. It’s a perfect example of proving that the band have not lost their emotional resonance one bit in the past two decades.

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