With the release of their full-length debut, 2015’s Last Forever, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based rock act Westkust received attention across the blogosphere for infectious and layered dream pop. However, since the release of their debut, the band has gone through a a massive lineup change that has resulted in vocalist Julia Bjernelind assuming guitar duties alongside Brian Cukrowski (guitar), Philip Söderlind (drums) and the recently added Pär Karlsson (bass).
The band’s long-awaited, self-titled, sophomore album is slated for a March 1, 2019 release through Run For Cover Records, and reportedly the bandmember’s longtime friendships provide much of the upbeat undercurrent to the album’s material. “We wanted to make songs that just feel good to listen to,” Julia Bjernelind says in press notes. “The thing that holds this band together is the friendship we’ve had for several years. We love playing together and enjoy each others company which still makes it fun.” The album’s first single, the breakneck “Swebeach” finds the band pairing towering layers of shimmering guitars and pummeling drums, Bjernelind’s cooly crooned vocals and soaring hooks — and while sonically drawing from shoegaze and surf rock, the song brings about thoughts of summer days, hanging out with friends, of sun-kissed skin and long, lazy afternoons. It’ll be here faster than you can imagine.
