Pale Waves has made a name for themselves as an essential alternative artist, touring with The 1975, Muse, and The Cure. They’ve become known for a dreamy, melancholy alternative rock sound; however, the band is taking a new direction with their upcoming album Who Am I? 

Their sophomore album will be out on February 12, and in preparation for the album, Pale Waves have released three singles: ‘Easy’, ‘She’s My Religion’, and ‘Change’. The band have today released a fourth single titled ‘You Don’t Own Me’.

‘You Don’t Own Me’ is Pale Waves’ middle finger to misogyny. The song is carried by heavy guitars and an “I do what I want” attitude. After all, the entire message of the song is any woman can do whatever she pleases. Heather Baron-Gracie’s frantic vocals give the song the delivery it deserves. While their sound seems to be becoming heavier, their outlook is becoming more positive. ‘You Don’t Own Me’ gives a taste of the sound held by their Dirty Hit labelmates, The 1975, that creates a bit of nostalgia for early 2000’s pop-punk. The sound created within this single holds true to Pale Waves while being completely new. 

The single will be accompanied by a video directed by front-woman Heather Baron-Gracie. The single shows Pale Waves’ departure from a soft melancholy sound into a more mature alternative rock sound.