Palace - Shoals

If you even casually spend your time navigating the indie rock scene, you’ve probably heard of Palace. While they are still technically classified as indie as per the definition of being signed to an independent label (Fiction Records), any other metric you’d go by would lead you to conclude that these guys are big time - and deservedly so. This UK four-piece are on the cusp of having released their excellent third full-length LP titled Shoals. They made a splash at the end of 2021 with a run up of single releases, but with the entire record now at our listening disposal, they’ve ventured into full-on wave territory. The title track, “Shoals,” is one you’ve got to brace for prior to giving a proper listen. A slow, meticulous build up guided by some lush guitar notes and wavy vocal harmonies culminates with a huge chorus that can only be described as sonic bliss. Enough to leave any listener satisfied despite the emotional resources a tune like this might take out of you.