Slowdive, a 90’s English shoegaze dream pop band, released their new self-titled album after splitting up 22 years ago. Listeners were surprised with a fresh and relevant sound.

A storm of ambient, warm thrills of chilling guitar picks make up the first song, “Slomo.” It feels like a rebirth of the band through its slow, tension-building introduction. The vocals from singers Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead feel angelic and the role of drummer Simon Scott is prevalent in establishing the final product compared to previous albums.

It feels as though the music was recorded outdoors on a sunny day and you’re on the beach swimming in the ocean or soaring through clouds like a bird. The layers of different guitar chords show the band members’ attention to detail in producing just the right melodies and tempos. Slowdive transforms rock, a loud and heavy genre, into a soothing symphony.

This album was similar to Slowdive’s previous album, “Pygmalion,” since it continued the band’s exploration of experimenting with their instruments. For example, the song “Crazy for You” contains elements of delay and looping that can be heard in many of their new tracks on “Slowdive.” The guitar sounds are vibrant and colorful, and the vocals continue to sound as spirited as they were in 1995.

But after 22 years, Slowdive’s music hasn’t evolved. They use similar reverb and guitar solos from previous albums. That beautiful, reminiscent 80s rock rhythm is still in their music, but they fail to modernize it.

But that doesn’t take away from enjoying the album. The music is still a glorious revival of dream pop that hadn’t been seen in years. The atmospheres they form are animate and illusory.  The band captures the beauty of life’s virtues in eight songs magnificently. Their comeback establishes Slowdive as an essential shoegaze icon in the music world as their music remains grade A.