Louisiana's own The Links have unveiled their latest track, 'elvira', a compelling blend of shoegaze and introspective rock that showcases their evolving artistic vision. Stepping away from their earlier funk and pop roots, the four-piece band presents a darker, more textured sound, a direction clearly solidified by this recent release.
'elvira' draws listeners into a vast soundscape, characterised by Wesley Guillory's shimmering guitar work and the moody undercurrent of Grant Gautreaux's bass. Jack Morrison's vocals, both ethereal and commanding, navigate the sonic terrain, building towards choruses that burst with raw intensity. Andrew Lawrence's dynamic drumming drives the track, particularly in the explosive outro.
Morrison, who penned the song, reveals that 'elvira' emerged from a period of personal struggle, serving as a form of catharsis. He describes the song's creation as a means of "trying to process grief and deal with a particularly heavy set of emotional circumstances all the while trying to further justify and continue a year of sobriety which had started only earlier that year for him in particular". The band's influences range from the classics like Deftones, Radiohead, and Queens of the Stone Age, to the resurgence of shoegaze and the post-punk revival of the early 2000s, citing Interpol, The Killers, and The Strokes.
"In a genre often known for fairly non-descript and hidden vocals, the links have chosen to operate on the complete end of the spectrum: saturating this lush, ethereal dream pop/shoegaze number with dynamic, emotive vocals and a rather clear & cutting set of messages & imagery on the lyrical front" The Links have opted for a sound with emotive vocals, which cut through the layers of dream-pop instrumentation.
The recording process at Warganized Records Backroom Studio in Lafayette, their hometown, allowed for on-the-spot experimentation. Unlike their previous release, 'sela', where they captured their established live sound, "elvira" was shaped in the studio, giving rise to unexpected sonic discoveries.
The Links are gearing up for festival performances and hometown shows, eager to share their new material. Reflecting on their journey, they express a sense of new beginnings. "This and our other recent single 'sela' truly do feel like the start of something new entirely for the band, and we're beyond excited to travel that road" says a band member.
For more from The Links, be sure to connect on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
