8/10

Brooklyn’s Phantom Wave returns with 'Echoes Unknown', their third full-length offering that drifts between the ethereal and the emphatically textured, reaffirming the trio’s status as modern architects of shoegaze-infused soundscapes. Comprised of Ian Carpenter (guitar/vocals), Yanek Che (bass), and Rachel Fischer (drums), the band stretches the conventions of the genre, layering waves of distorted guitars, crystalline synths, and nuanced percussion into a meditative yet invigorating journey.

From the outset, the album sweeps us into a liminal world where shimmering feedback and hazy reverb coalesce into immersive atmospheres. Tracks like 'Wanton' exemplify Phantom Wave’s playful approach to sound design, blending unconventional effects to conjure unexpected textures. Elsewhere, like on 'Woozy' and 'Hologrammer', gentle synth flourishes and layered piano punctuate the dense guitar washes, offering moments of clarity amid the blur of musical depth.

Throughout, 'Echoes Unknown' balances homage and invention, where influences from shoegaze luminaries like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, and Slowdive mingle seamlessly with nods to dream-pop and alternative stalwarts such as Beach House, DIIV, and Radiohead. The mixing and production ensures that every note finds its space, crafting tracks that feel expansive without losing intimacy.

The record’s strength lies in its duality: it can serve as a contemplative escape, a meditative haze to sink into, or as an energising exploration of dynamic textures and emotional resonance. Phantom Wave demonstrate mastery over both noise and nuance, proving that their ambitions can bend traditional genre boundaries while retaining a cohesive emotional core. 'Echoes Unknown' is both a continuation of their past explorations and a portal to fresh, uncharted auditory territories; crafting a luminous, intoxicating step forward for the Brooklyn trio.