Shallow Alcove - “We’re All Doomed”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

Lush indie folk from NYC, Shallow Alove’s sound is harmony heavy and full of detailed, melodic augmentations that expand their pretty, acoustic-pop core. Little, emotive ballads are embellished subtly - there’s little that’s experimental in Shallow Alcove’s music, instead they just build on the core melody with the mentality of a power-pop band. Shallow Alcove’s debut LP is Keepsakes, a consistent seven-song collection that at its ‘hardest’ is mid-tempo rock, but the slower, more spacious tracks are where their instinctual touch sounds the best. If these were all acoustic ballads however, it would get a little repetitive, so it’s nice to see them sounding strong even when the tempo does pick up a bit. Check out Shallow Alcove at Cooper’s BBQ on Monday night while SXSW Music is just getting started. (Kevin McStravick)