I know nothing about the music scene in Gothenburg, but if it sounds anything like Waterboarding School, then they’re all doing fine! There’s 5 of them in the band, and they’ve been around since 2017. Their newest single, In The Morning came out last month but I don’t want to focus on that- I’m going to do my best to write about how great they are.

Waterboarding School have a beautiful 60s Garage Rock feel to their sound, and they’re perfect to listen to as you do a whole load of nothing, because sometimes, it feels good to do just that. I’ve come home from a few days seeing my family and friends, and as I listen to Waterboarding School, my cat is sat in the window sunbathing. I think this band are the ideal soundtrack for her to do just that. She’s heading off into dreamland with the slick sounds of Waterboarding School playing. What a life she has!

Their debut record Back Rubs came out in 2019 and this was followed by 2023’s Bridge Reviews. Two records in, and it is fair to say that they’ve got a solid sound that you just can’t get enough of. I love how they remind me of the Count Five and The Vagrants, and July. Mix those three bands together, and you’ve got yourself Waterboarding School.  The band have this blissful style, and when you listen to them, it’s hard to have a care in the world and sometimes you just need a band that take that weight off your shoulders, y’know? They do it so well and you cannot help but fall in love with their sound.  I feel their debut record has more of the 60s Garage Rock feel, and releases after this, they’ve developed a slightly different sound. But it’s a solid sound regardless. I’m sold! Sign me up to whatever they are selling!

Trying to find anything out about this band obviously brings up things you don’t need to see or read, but when a band is this good- the music says it all. The first two releases only had 4 of them in the band, but regardless of how many there are of them- they just have a really distinctive sound that gets you hooked immediately. It always starts with the vocals, and Filip’s are bloody great! Once you’ve been hooked in this way, the rest just takes over your ears. If this is how good the music scene is in Gothenburg, then take me there now! This band should be massive. It’s criminal that they aren’t, but maybe the third record will be it. Maybe that’ll be the one that brings them over to the UK and they play a bunch of sell-out shows here, and we all fall in love with their sound. That’s fair, right? You’ve got the super relaxed sounds of Sighurd, then you’ve got the chaotic Moving On from the second record. They’re just so good, and they just make everything alright. Sometimes you need a band that make everything alright. I like the wave of comfort you get from them, especially in songs like So Tired. That’s an easy one to relate to! I think so far, my favourite may be Can’t Stand (from their debut record) but honestly, with a band like this, you can’t have favourites for too long!

The two new songs (You Got To Go and, In The Morning,) are a little heavier sound wise, and if this is the way the new record is going to go- then we are in for something truly special. They may have only formed in 2017, which actually, is a good amount of time to know your sound, but it feels like they’ve been around for longer. In The Morning feels like a proper summer Psych-Rock number, and I’m excited to hear what’s next from them. Go backwards from the two new songs when listening to them, and you’ll definitely hear a band that are well on their way- all we can do it listen and go on the ride with them.

If you’re looking for a band to listen to whilst you do nothing, then Waterboarding School are the band for you. Sometimes you need a band that you connect with in that way, and this band do it so well. Listen to them as loud as you want, and do nothing. What could be better?!