VALA Are Back With Stripped Back Indie Ballad ‘Swimming’

Published on 23 June 2022 at 16:45

Words: Max Bradfield

 

Manchester lo-fi indie band VALA have been gathering speed in the first half of 2022. Sell out shows have come in both native Manchester and in London, alongside supporting BBC ‘one to watch’ and friend Sfven. Now, following two greatly received song’s ‘This Town’ and ‘You Don’t Want My Love’ comes ‘Swimming’, as the group look to continue to build on massive radio play. 

 

VALA admits with this latest slice of lo-fi mastery comes a step away from their more upbeat tones. Such a style previously earned them a fan and production mentor in The Strokes and Libertines producer Gordon Raphael and the group are revelling in the change. 

 

Front man Joe Knowles explained; We’ve enjoyed slowing down for this track, with it feeling like a continuation of the production and style of our 2021 single ‘It’s Alright When You’re Falling.’”

 

This new track has been labelled a ballad for lovers of Alvvays, Porches and Phoebe Bridgers and there’s definitely some resemblance. VALA have certainly created a sound that is irresistible to any fan of rustic, lo-fi indie tunes. Within this song, released via Shoplifters Union Records and distributed via AWAL, samples of poolside noises are from the film ‘Eighth Grade’. Resonating with Joe, he described an unmissable opportunity: lifted from a scene that was both funny and harrowing, it stuck with me so much I had to add the sounds to a song called Swimming. I love the fat drums and bass when they enter around the halfway mark. It’s worth the wait to hear one of VALA’s signature moves.”

 

Worth the wait, it certainly is as this mellow track comes in perfect time for the summer. Released back on the 10th June, ‘Swimming’ is available on streaming platforms. It’s sure to be another track to raise the group’s profile further – they’ve already received play time from Radio X, Amazing Radio and a whole host of stations and podcasts. 

 

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