Slowdive formed in 1989 and consisted of Nick Chaplin (bass), Rachel Goswell (vocals, guitar), Christian Savill (guitar) and the band’s primary songwriter Neil Halstead (vocals, guitar). The production on Slowdive’s debut commenced shortly after Halstead convinced Alan McGee, head of Creation Records, the band had enough songs written for a full-length album. Slowdive actually did not. The group hurriedly began writing songs in the studio, experimenting with sounds and cannabis during the process. This eventually lead to their debut album Just for a Day, released in 1991. My Bloody Valentine's brilliant Loveless is easily the most famous and acclaimed shoegazer record, but this sparkling debut from Slowdive, released the same year (1992) as My Bloody Valentine's masterpiece, is, in many ways, every bit as moving and beautiful. Just for a Day stays true to its title, capturing alien ephemera within its breezy, hazy musical web. guitars wash in and out like waves, drums and bass creep slowly along, and both Halstead and Rachel Goswell intone their beautifully insightful lyrics over the wondrously droning sea of sound.
