Shower Curtain
words from a wishing well
Angel Tapes/Fire Talk Records [2024]
“Shower Curtain’s words from a wishing well is a raw, dreamy debut that swells with grungy guitar emotion and sonic fragility.”
Album Overview: Shower Curtain is a four-piece band from Brooklyn, led by Brazilian-American artist Victoria Winter, alongside bandmates Ethan Williams (guitar/vocals), Sean Terrell (drums), and Cody Hudgins (bass). The group fuses the energy of New York with Winter’s Brazilian upbringing. Emerging from the indie scene, they’ve spent the past few years refining their sound while navigating personal and collaborative growth. Their debut album, words from a wishing well, captures the youthful spirit of the band through layers of grungy guitar, emotionally charged lyrics, and a balance of gentleness and intensity. It explores themes of uncertainty, personal growth, and emotional complexity, reflecting both the challenges of city life and inner battles we all face. Co-produced by Winter and Williams, the album blends shoegaze, alternative rock, and hints of Brazilian music. Tracks like “wish u well” and “bed bugs” exemplify the record’s ability to merge personal reflection with broader themes, creating a work that feels as raw as it is deliberate.
Musical Style: The band’s sound blends shoegaze, grunge, and indie rock, shifting between dreamy atmospheres and dissonant edges. Guitars take center stage, moving from ethereal layers to thick walls of sound, supported by vigorous drumming and fluid basslines. Winter’s vocals hover within the mix, adding a sense of fragility and tension. The album also introduces moments of experimentation, incorporating electronic textures and subtle Brazilian rhythms, enhancing its replay value.
Evolution of Sound: While the band’s roots lie in early bedroom pop, words from a wishing well reveals their evolution toward bolder structures and production. Early singles like “wish u well” retain the charm of their beginnings but add depth through textured arrangements. The inclusion of violin and cello on “benadryl man” showcases the band’s openness to unexpected sounds and collaborations. The album captures a dynamic tension between simplicity and experimentation, highlighting Shower Curtain’s artistic growth.
Artists with Similar Fire: Listeners will recognize the swirling guitars of My Bloody Valentine, the raw energy of Sonic Youth, and the ethereal vocal delivery of Beach House within Shower Curtain’s sound. Their blend of shoegaze and indie rock draws comparisons to contemporaries like DIIV, but with the punchier guitar dynamics of bands like julie and Speedy Ortiz. There’s also a nod to ’90s alternative rock, with a knack for catchy pop structures and guitar-driven songs reminiscent of That Dog.
Pivotal Tracks: “wish u well” acts as the album’s thematic anchor, bridging the band’s early influences with their more expansive production. “bedbugs” stands out for its biting narrative and fuzz-heavy arrangement, channeling the obsessive energy that runs throughout the record. “starpower” has a memorable jangle to it surrounded by a wall of intense guitars. “benadryl man” creates an unsettling atmosphere, with screeching strings and eerie lyrics mirroring the unease of restless nights. “You’re Like Me” serves as the album’s emotional centerpiece, exploding with layers of distortion that capture cycles of vulnerability and confrontation. These tracks showcase the band’s range, moving seamlessly between introspective moments and chaotic bursts of sound.
Lyrical Strength: Winter’s lyrics explore emotional conflict, anxiety, and personal reflection, often through everyday imagery. Her use of metaphor adds depth to themes of fixation, longing, and identity, giving the songs an introspective edge. In “benadryl man,” surreal and symbolic fears intertwine, while “wish u well” feels like an open letter—both to the self and others. These lyrical layers make the album resonate deeply, inviting listeners to confront their own complexities.
SHOWER CURTAIN LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Angel Tapes | Fire Talk Records
- Shower Curtain: words from a wishing well [Album Review] - October 23, 2024
- CLASS: A Healthy Alternative [Album Review] - October 18, 2024
- GOAT: GOAT [Album Review] - October 15, 2024