Reviews

Aphasia’s “Waves” gives a sense of someone quietly unravelling mid-thought. Soaked in washed-out guitars which don’t simply shimmer or blur, the melodies suffocate, adding to the pulling-under sensation throughout. Rather than entice, the track seems to smother, dragging into a thick, muted undertow.

Alongside, or more accurately underneath, the vocals sit half-buried, almost unwilling, or simply not ready, to be heard.

There’s no big payoff, no dramatic lift or forced climactic moment; just this slow, ebb and a pervasive, obstinate tow that keeps circling back on itself, making it hit harder in a low-key lingering way that sticks long after the song is done.

For me, first listens evoked The Cranberries, something of Dolores O’Riorodan’s tone present in Aphasia’s vocalist, but where The Cranberries lean into clean, chiming guitar tones Aphasia skilfully utilise a more washed-out, blurry Shoegaze texture. Less definition, more atmosphere.

With Waves, Aphasia lean heavily into (and occupy) that lo-fi, submerged indie-shoegaze space. Everything feels intentionally softened around the edges.

Aphasia’s sound feels like they’re taking a deep drag from the worlds of Cigarettes After Sex or Have a Nice Life but stripping it back even further; less reverb glow, more muffled weight.

Emotionally melancholic, inward and detached at times, Waves is unflinchingly honest, immersive, and simply beautiful.

This listener is looking forward to exploring what comes next from this act.

Aphasia are a young Scottish shoegaze/indie band, based in Edinburgh.

As part of an emerging youth scene, the band are tied into grassroots projects like Granton Youth Mixtape Club, and Totally Sound Edinburgh.

Their debut single “Waves” released at the end of May 2026 and is available on Apple, Spotify, and other outlets.

Follow Aphasia on Instagram Here

The band are headlining Sneaky Pete’s on June 12^th, 2026