Bodywash - "Massif Central"
Photo by Kristina Pederson
Montreal's Bodywash are a duo consisting of Chris Steward and Rosie Long Decter. Their new single, "Massif Central," is a surprisingly upbeat if somewhat haunting song mixing shoegaze and dream pop, relying quite a bit on the pop side of things. "Massif Central" is a giant, swirling wall of fuzz forced along at a relatively quick and cheery clip. I wouldn't normally describe shoegaze as bouncy, but that is where Bodywash come in. This is the kind of song where the beauty and dissonance come together to create this lovely wash of noise.
Chris Steward explains the story behind the song:
“After eight years living in Canada, in the Spring of 2021, a government clerical error caused me to lose my legal status here. As a UK national, I lost my right to work. My savings trickled away during months where I could do little but pace the corners of my apartment. I was prepared to pack my bags and leave as the life I’d hoped to construct for myself seemed to vanish into a bureaucratic abyss. “‘Massif’ is the sound of wailing into a cliff and not knowing if you’ll hear an echo. The spoken word is inspired by a squirrel that was trapped in the wall behind my bed, clawing its way to salvation. With the help of friends, family, music, and a few immigration lawyers (and the rest of my savings), I’m now a permanent resident here. But this song remains as testament to my experience with an exploitative institution.”
You can watch the video for "Massif Central" below. I Held the Shape While I Could is due out April 14 on Light Organ Records. The album can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp. For more on Bodywash, check out the band's Facebook and Instagram.