Wray is one of those rare bands that effortlessly blend smart sonic pluralities into a seamless whole without losing any of their DIY grit. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama, the trio– comprised of lead singer/bass player David Brown, guitarist David Swatzell, and drummer Blake Wimberly— have a shared history that reaches back over a decade in the Birmingham music scene. Expectations for this compelling act continue to grow with the groundswell of support and patronage they’ve received since they first made their debut in 2013. Having received accolades from everyone from The New York Times to MOJO– alongside appearances on MTVu and Daytrotter– their penchant for adventurous music-making will pay big dividends in the years to come.

We were trying to make a more cohesive record this go around. We weren’t sure until the last week of mixing how well we’d gotten to that point! We did fall into a mood with this album.

David Brown
WRAY-Hypatia-Press-2-by-Wes-Frazer

Following 2014’s self-titled debut on Communicating Vessels, Wray has spent the better part of the past year developing the ideas and sonic palette that would become their sophomore LP Hypatia. Through experimentation and a robust full length band, Wray has finally come into its own as a distinct entity.

WRAY-Hypatia-Press-2-by-Wes-Frazer

Co-produced by the band with Lynn Bridges (Jack Oblivian, Devendra Banhart, Dan Sartain) and mixed by Daniel Farris (Man or Astroman?, St. Vincent, Azure Ray), Hypatia takes its own path from swift energy to quiet contemplation while exploring a space of subtle contrasts and originality.

A lot of the tracks you hear on the album are first takes. Lynn Bridges is all about that, the first take and the first time if you can. And that’s really cool, because a lot of the time, you can get the feel right from that first take.

David Swatzell

Brown, the band’s lyricist, singles out the title track as a particular favorite, explaining its meaning as an example of how he approaches songs as a whole: “A lot of times my lyrical inspiration comes from documentaries or listening to science podcasts. Hypatia, she was a 4th Century scientist/ philosopher/ mathematician. (Hypatia was esteemed by contemporaries for her notable intellect, and was reported to have been killed at the hands of a religious mob in Alexandria, Egypt.) Meanwhile, a lot of the lyrics I write also have romantic undertones, similar to New Wave and postpunk bands as well.”

From standout tracks like the surging rhythmic workout of “May 23rd,” to the back-and-forth college rock/guitar crescendo overdrive of “Shiva,” the group’s triangulated presence is in full force, offering a glimpse into the forward-thinking minds of one of Birmingham’s best and brightest bands. Combined with decidedly uptempo numbers like the rollicking “Giant” and their inverted take on Faust’s krautrock classic “Jennifer”– Hypatia has set the bar exceedingly high for progressive music coming out of the Deep South.

Hypatia is available on vinyl, cd, and digital formats– complete with brilliantly conceived album art by New Zealand-born/New York-based Tamaryn, and Shaun Durkan, from San Francisco’s Weekend — in early 2016 with supporting tours.

WRAY-Hypatia-Press-1-by-Wes-Frazer

..while many modern shoegazers err on the side of ethereal wistfulness, this trio remember the the best of those original bands were, at hear, red-blooded rock bands too.

(7 out of 10) Classic Rock

Maybe it’s that stateside influence which sees the band thrust forward with more purpose than you might expect, but right from the off there’s brittle guitar lines and liberal splashes of white noise. It evolves and unfurls as it goes on, expanding and becoming a pulsating, dreamy triumph, demonstrating that Wray also have an ear for melody.

The Line of Best Fit
 

A wash of distortion, a motorik beat, an impassive and nearly drowned-out vocal: These are the essential building blocks for Wray, a three-piece band pursuing its own extrapolation of shoegaze, surf-punk and lo-fi garage-rock.

The New York Times

Wray’s bent is darker, echoing the emo ’80s synth rock of groups like Echo and the Bunnymen, but their music is fused uniquely with fuzzed-out surf rhythms and delicate guitarnoir riffs, a la their namesake. There’s loud and beautiful guitar inspiration here for rock ‘n’ roll purists as well as for the black eyeliner set.

Electronic Musician

On each track, the band effectively balls ups its favorite ingredients — a little bit of surf, expansive arena rock, catchy alt-rock riffs, a little bit of drone — into a mass and rolls it down a hill.

Village Voice

an impressively tight, focused album which on the superb 'Bad Heart' recalls War on Drugs at their majestic best.

Uncut (4 out of 5 stars)
 

While drummer Blake Wimberly locks down the driving motorik beats, Davids Brown and Swatzell ride the rhythms with their own Jetstream haze of guitars and voices that bears fleeting comparison with the likes of Interpol, Quickspace, Secret Machines and Ride.

Mojo

CVLP0028: Limited Edition run of 500 on Clear Vinyl + DL
CVCD0028: Deluxe CD + DL
CVDL0028: Digital Download
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Product Description

Wray – Hypatia

Release Date: January 15th, 2016

Wray is one of those rare bands that effortlessly blend smart sonic pluralities into a seamless whole without losing any of their DIY grit. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama, the trio– comprised of lead singer/bass player David Brown, guitarist David Swatzell, and drummer Blake Wimberly— have a shared history that reaches back over a decade in the Birmingham music scene. Expectations for this compelling act continue to grow with the groundswell of support and patronage they’ve received since they first made their debut in 2013. Having received accolades from everyone from The New York Times to MOJO– alongside appearances on MTVu and Daytrotter– their penchant for adventurous music-making will pay big dividends in the years to come.

Following 2014’s self-titled debut on Communicating Vessels, Wray has spent the better part of the past year developing the ideas and sonic palette that would become their sophomore LP Hypatia. Through experimentation and a robust full length band, Wray has finally come into its own as a distinct entity.


Wray – Hypatia

We were trying to make a more cohesive record this go around. We weren't sure until the last week of mixing how well we'd gotten to that point! We did fall into a mood with this album

David Brown
Co-produced by the band with Lynn Bridges (Jack Oblivian, Devendra Banhart, Dan Sartain) and mixed by Daniel Farris (Man or Astroman?, St. Vincent, Azure Ray), Hypatia takes its own path from swift energy to quiet contemplation while exploring a space of subtle contrasts and originality.

Brown, the band’s lyricist, singles out the title track as a particular favorite, explaining its meaning as an example of how he approaches songs as a whole: “A lot of times my lyrical inspiration comes from documentaries or listening to science podcasts. Hypatia, she was a 4th Century scientist/ philosopher/ mathematician. [Hypatia was esteemed by contemporaries for her notable intellect, and was reported to have been killed at the hands of a religious mob in Alexandria, Egypt.] Meanwhile, a lot of the lyrics I write also have romantic undertones, similar to New Wave and postpunk bands as well.”

A lot of the tracks you hear on the album are first takes. Lynn Bridges is all about that, the first take and the first time if you can. And that's really cool, because a lot of the time, you can get the feel right from that first take.

David Swatzell


From standout tracks like the surging rhythmic workout of “May 23rd,” to the back-and-forth college rock/guitar crescendo overdrive of “Shiva,” the group’s triangulated presence is in full force, offering a glimpse into the forward-thinking minds of one of Birmingham’s best and brightest bands. Combined with decidedly uptempo numbers like the rollicking “Giant” and their inverted take on Faust’s krautrock classic “Jennifer”– Hypatia has set the bar exceedingly high for progressive music coming out of the Deep South.

Wray – Pined

Wray – Hypatia

CVLP0028: Limited Edition run of 500 on Clear Vinyl + DL
CVCD0028: Deluxe CD + DL
CVDL0028: Digital Download
BUY
Clear selection

Product Description

Wray – Hypatia

Release Date: January 15th, 2016

Wray is one of those rare bands that effortlessly blend smart sonic pluralities into a seamless whole without losing any of their DIY grit. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama, the trio– comprised of lead singer/bass player David Brown, guitarist David Swatzell, and drummer Blake Wimberly— have a shared history that reaches back over a decade in the Birmingham music scene. Expectations for this compelling act continue to grow with the groundswell of support and patronage they’ve received since they first made their debut in 2013. Having received accolades from everyone from The New York Times to MOJO– alongside appearances on MTVu and Daytrotter– their penchant for adventurous music-making will pay big dividends in the years to come.

Following 2014’s self-titled debut on Communicating Vessels, Wray has spent the better part of the past year developing the ideas and sonic palette that would become their sophomore LP Hypatia. Through experimentation and a robust full length band, Wray has finally come into its own as a distinct entity.


Wray – Hypatia

We were trying to make a more cohesive record this go around. We weren't sure until the last week of mixing how well we'd gotten to that point! We did fall into a mood with this album

David Brown
Co-produced by the band with Lynn Bridges (Jack Oblivian, Devendra Banhart, Dan Sartain) and mixed by Daniel Farris (Man or Astroman?, St. Vincent, Azure Ray), Hypatia takes its own path from swift energy to quiet contemplation while exploring a space of subtle contrasts and originality.

Brown, the band’s lyricist, singles out the title track as a particular favorite, explaining its meaning as an example of how he approaches songs as a whole: “A lot of times my lyrical inspiration comes from documentaries or listening to science podcasts. Hypatia, she was a 4th Century scientist/ philosopher/ mathematician. [Hypatia was esteemed by contemporaries for her notable intellect, and was reported to have been killed at the hands of a religious mob in Alexandria, Egypt.] Meanwhile, a lot of the lyrics I write also have romantic undertones, similar to New Wave and postpunk bands as well.”

A lot of the tracks you hear on the album are first takes. Lynn Bridges is all about that, the first take and the first time if you can. And that's really cool, because a lot of the time, you can get the feel right from that first take.

David Swatzell


From standout tracks like the surging rhythmic workout of “May 23rd,” to the back-and-forth college rock/guitar crescendo overdrive of “Shiva,” the group’s triangulated presence is in full force, offering a glimpse into the forward-thinking minds of one of Birmingham’s best and brightest bands. Combined with decidedly uptempo numbers like the rollicking “Giant” and their inverted take on Faust’s krautrock classic “Jennifer”– Hypatia has set the bar exceedingly high for progressive music coming out of the Deep South.

Wray – Pined




Product Description

WRAY – WRAY

Release Date: July 15th, 2014

Though new, WRAY’s involvement in the music community starts over a decade ago with such bands as Last Flight In, Comrade, Nightmare Waterfall, and a handful of other projects you might not have had the chance to see if “punk rock” just isn’t your scene.

Their self-titled release was recorded in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama at Ol Elgante Studio and engineer Daniel Farris (Man Or Astro-man?, St. Vincent) managed to capture the atmospheric beauty that comes with every live show. This three piece demands the attention of a real rock show.

Wray isn’t afraid to revel in repetition, churning (like butter) confident, seamless grooves firmly in the tradition of NEU!, Faust, or Can. Their shimmering, headphone-ready tones owe much to Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and even The Cure, but without the crippling self-absorption of chillwave, dreampop, or whatever all the sad bastards are listening to this week.

WRAY – Bad Heart


“WRAY are woozier and more majestic, with gently-gliding vocal melodies and a steadily-chugging rhythm that owes more to krautrock than it does punk or garage.” — Wondering Sound

WRAY – WRAY

CVCD0022: Deluxe CD + DL
CVLP0022: Limited Edition Vinyl + DL
CVDL0022: Digital Download
BUY
Clear selection

Product Description

WRAY – WRAY

Release Date: July 15th, 2014

Though new, WRAY’s involvement in the music community starts over a decade ago with such bands as Last Flight In, Comrade, Nightmare Waterfall, and a handful of other projects you might not have had the chance to see if “punk rock” just isn’t your scene.

Their self-titled release was recorded in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama at Ol Elgante Studio and engineer Daniel Farris (Man Or Astro-man?, St. Vincent) managed to capture the atmospheric beauty that comes with every live show. This three piece demands the attention of a real rock show.

Wray isn’t afraid to revel in repetition, churning (like butter) confident, seamless grooves firmly in the tradition of NEU!, Faust, or Can. Their shimmering, headphone-ready tones owe much to Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and even The Cure, but without the crippling self-absorption of chillwave, dreampop, or whatever all the sad bastards are listening to this week.

WRAY – Bad Heart


“WRAY are woozier and more majestic, with gently-gliding vocal melodies and a steadily-chugging rhythm that owes more to krautrock than it does punk or garage.” — Wondering Sound




Product Description

WRAY Shirt

Comes in Light or Dark versions..buy two!
One for night..one for day…
Price includes shipping the continental US.

WRAY Shirt

Price includes shipping in USA
BUY
Clear selection

Product Description

WRAY Shirt

Comes in Light or Dark versions..buy two!
One for night..one for day…
Price includes shipping the continental US.