The High Violets, To Where You Are

The Pacific Northwest is best known for two things: beautiful scenery and rain. Reverb Records, however, is doing its best to put the area on the map for another reason. The Portland label is at the forefront of the American shoegazer movement, and Eugene, OR, act The High Violets lead the charge. It’s easy to focus on Kaitlin Ni Donovan’s sultry vocals — at times she sounds like a modern-day Siouxsie — but it’s the music that makes listeners take notice. The Violets’ fuzzed-out instrumentation, with low droning overtones and faint poppiness (just enough to get you hooked), makes comparisons inevitable. The band gives nods to shoegazer legends My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus & Mary Chain, but one listen to To Where You Are proves that The High Violets are well on their way to making a name for themselves on their own. After the success of their debut for Reverb, 44 Down, the beauty of this new album comes as no surprise. Standout cuts include “Love Is Blinding,” Sun Baby,” and the haunting “Invitation.”