Alvvays, "In Undertow"

Post Author: Mike Mehalick

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since Alvvays stormed up college radio charts and ‘best of’ lists with their impeccable ode “Archie, Marry Me” and their self-titled, Polyvinyl debut album. Since then, the Toronto-based group led by Molly Rankin (vocals, guitar) with Alec O’Hanley (guitar, vocals, keyboards, drum machine) Kerri MacLellen (keyboards, vocals) and Brian Murphy (bass) has toured the world while coming to face the realities of how that sort of schedule can mess with relationships and a sense of isolation.
In crafting Alvvays’ sophomore album, Antisocialites, Rankin dove deeper into the sounds and experiences whirring about in her mind, taking to an abandoned classroom on Toronto Island.
“I carried a small PA on the ferry in a wheelbarrow,” Rankin shares. “Every morning I would listen to my favorite records on the beach, then I’d write melodies and record demos in the classroom.”
That removed headspace rings through on Antisocialites‘ lead single, “In Undertow,” a dazzling piece of amber hued pop-rock wherein Rankin mulls over what to do next in an effort to move on from a break up; “Meditate, play solitaire, take up self-defense.” Fuzzy, waves crashing guitars in the bridge and chorus make you feel like you’re right there on the shore staring out into the void with Rankin as her dreamy vocals cut to the heart of her romantic dilemma.

Antisocialites is out September 8th via Polyvinyl Records (pre-order). Alvvays will be on tour through the end of year with select dates including openers Nap Eyes or Jay Som.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
8.5.17 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
8.5.17 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL SOLD OUT
8.26.17 – Belgrave Music Hall – Leeds, UK
8.27.17 – St. Luke’s – Glasgow, Scotland
8.28.17 – Leadmill – Sheffield, UK
8.29.17 – Talking Heads – Southampton, UK
9.2.17 – End of the Road Festival – Larmer Tree Garden, UK
9.3.17 – Institute 2 – Birmingham, UK
9.4.17 – Rescue Rooms – Nottingham, UK
9.6.17 – Bullingdon Arms – Oxford, UK
9.7.17 – Gorilla – Manchester, UK
9.8.17 – Koko – London, UK
9.9.17 – Thekla – Bristol, UK
9.11.17 – Point Ephemere – Paris, France
9.12.17 – Blue Shell – Cologne, Germany
9.13.17 – Molotow – Hamburg, Germany
9.14.17 – Musik & Frieden – Berlin, Germany
9.16.17 – Trix – Antwerp, Belgium
9.17.17 – Ekko – Utrecht, Netherlands
9.18.17 – Bitterzoet – Amsterdam, Netherlands
9.30.17 – Music Tastes Good Festival – Long Beach, CA
10.3.17 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
10.5.17 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY *
10.6.17 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA *
10.7.17 – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC *
10.11.17 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA *
10.12.17 – Exit / In – Nashville, TN *
10.13.17 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL *
10.14.17 – One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA *
10.16.17 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX *
10.17.17 – Mohawk – Austin, TX *
10.18.17 – Trees – Dallas, TX *
10.20.17 – Meow Wolf – Santa Fe, NM *
10.21.17 – Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ *
10.24.17 – Fillmore – San Francisco, CA *
10.27.17 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR ^
10.28.17 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA ^
10.30.17 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT ^
10.31.17 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO ^
11.2.17 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN ^
11.3.17 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL ^
11.4.17 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI ^
12.13.17 – Mod Club – Toronto, ON
12.14.17 – Mod Club – Toronto, ON
12.15.17 – Mod Club – Toronto, ON
12.16.17 – Mod Club – Toronto, ON
* w/ Nap Eyes
^ w/ Jay Som