Gliding in on radiant waves of balmy pop Goth Babe — the project of Tennessee native Griffin Washburn — has finally emerged with his highly anticipated debut album Lola in tow. Sharing an emotionally and melodically effusive collection of songs that venture toward finding balance amidst life’s tumult. He’s also revealed a score of international tour dates that include appearances at festivals like Governors Ball and the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA on September 30th.
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Just like the vessel it’s named after — a sailboat Washburn spends his time exploring the Oregon coast with — Lola floats atop an oceanic tide as alluring as it is perilous. One that ebbs and flows between traumatic memories and brief but crucial moments of serenity, from being held at gunpoint while living out of his car to the wonderous freedom transience has afforded him. Its songs are left awash in luxuriantly warm synths and decidedly chilled undercurrents that pulse with stirring vigor.
“Neon Trees” opens the record with an urgent mantra of intentionality that echoes throughout. “I don’t wanna fake time in the way you are,” Washburn wails against refulgent strums and the buoyant impact of drums. That exigent energy billows toward romance and heartbreak on the propulsive “Crocodile” and beat-laden, slow-burner “Backwards” (feat. WATTS).
On “Sadie” his resonant vocals maneuver between a surge of euphorically glittering tones and textures, grasping for perspective in the form of his adopted border collie of the same name. “I wait for the sun / I wait for you to come home, human,” he sings delicately. “I know it’s not fun.”
Then there are his brushes with the grandiose, which dawn as a hypnotic flurry of syncopated beats and rhythms on “Sun Comes Up,” or thrust with beaming exhilaration on “Bioluminescence.” Both tracks illuminate the sublime moments Goth Babe has stumbled upon — just as easily and haphazardly as the bad ones — since he first started nomadically moving across the West.
Found near the end of the album “Alone in the Mountains” appears as the pinnacle of all that Lola seeks to communicate. Once again his words are bathed in the momentous rush that flows from its soundscape, a crescendoing hum of layered vocals and instrumentals that rise in exaltation toward an elusive tranquility.
Ever one to treasure simple beauties Washburn words his rejection of vain hustling rather plainly: “I find myself alone in the mountains / Grateful for my life today, / It’s just me and my dog most of the time / I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“There’s so much beauty in the world, obviously balanced by a lot of pain and suffering,” Washburn explained. “I would love if these songs allowed people, even just for a second, to escape the weight and heaviness of the world.”
Words: Steven Ward
See Goth Babe at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA on Monday, September 30th.
Visit Goth Babe on his website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Goth Babe tour
6/7/24 – Queens, NY – Governors Ball Music Festival
6/16/24 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music Festival
8/30/24 – Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point *
8/31/24 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway *
9/1/24 – Burlington, VT – The Green at Shelburne Museum *
9/3/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall *
9/4/24 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE *
9/6/24 – Washington, DC – The Anthem ^
9/7/24 – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit ^
9/8/24 – Richmond, VA – Brown’s Island ^
9/10/24 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater ^
9/11/24 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! ^
9/13/24 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom *
9/14/24 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre *
9/15/24 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed (Outdoor) *
9/24/24 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater ^
9/25/24 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ^
9/27/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre ^
9/30/24 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre ^
10/1/24 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort ^
10/3/24 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theater ^
10/4/24 – Carnation, WA (Seattle) – Remlinger Farms ^
10/5/24 – Portland, OR – Edgefield ^
10/7/24 – Garden City, ID (Boise) – Revolution Concert House ^
10/8/24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Granary Live ^
10/10/24 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks ^ *
10/11/24 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom *
10/24/24 – Mexico City, MX – Lunario
10/29/24 – Perth, AUS – The Rechabite
10/31/24 – Sydney, AUS – Enmore Theatre
11/1/24 – Melbourne, AUS – The Forum
11/3/24 – Brisbane, AUS – The Tivoli
* Ritt Momney
^ The Aces
Listen to Lola the new album from Goth Babe below!
