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Next Week’s Washing Stuns with Euphoric Shoegaze in New Single “Empty Pages”

Toronto-based trio blends nostalgia, harmony, and expansive alternative rock to announce themselves as one of the city’s most exciting new acts

By Chris AdamsPublished 4 months ago 3 min read

Listen in here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6RrEnQsgmcfUDIVSxRAAlI?referral=labelaffiliate&utm_source=1101lBGyL5Z4&utm_medium=Indie_Distrokid&utm_campaign=labelaffiliate

Toronto-based trio Next Week’s Washing make a bold sonic statement with their new single, “Empty Pages,” a track that expertly weaves together elements of shoegaze, Britpop, and alternative rock into a euphoric, emotionally resonant whole. From shimmering walls of guitar to front-and-center, harmony-laced vocals, the song evokes a sense of both nostalgia and forward-looking ambition, immediately marking the band as one you didn’t realize you needed until this very moment. With its expansive, cinematic sound, “Empty Pages” manages to feel both intimate and monumental, transporting listeners to a place where emotion and melody collide.

Written during their earliest sessions as a group, the song became a touchstone for the trio’s collaborative chemistry. “It started with a nostalgic chord progression, and we built everything else around that feeling,” the band explains. Lyrically, the track reflects on the idea of potential and perspective, framing life’s “Empty Pages” as either a void or an invitation. The lyrics invite listeners to contemplate both what has passed and what remains unwritten, creating a reflective and evocative listening experience.

“This song was the first one we wrote as a band, and it made us realize that we have a special songwriting dynamic. It took a while to get it to a place we were satisfied with but ultimately, once everyone had added their own unique touches on it, we ended up with a result we are very proud of,” the trio adds. That sentiment is evident in the final recording, which balances spacious, atmospheric instrumentation with meticulously crafted harmonies, allowing each member’s personality to shine while serving the collective vision of the band.

Engineered by Dylan Frankland (Tallies) and mastered by Noah Mintz, “Empty Pages” also features a rare sibling harmony between Miles and Julian Duffy, lending the chorus an added emotional depth that lingers long after the song ends. The effect is a widescreen, immersive sound, combining layered guitars, intricate percussion, and soaring vocals that capture both intimacy and grandeur in equal measure. The production emphasizes the band’s dynamic range, letting moments of quiet reflection breathe before erupting into euphoric, anthemic crescendos.

Formed in 2024 by Rhys Newman and brothers Miles and Julian Duffy, Next Week’s Washing has rapidly emerged as one of Toronto’s most exciting new acts. Their music blurs genre boundaries, balancing the melodic familiarity of Britpop with the immersive textures of shoegaze, all while maintaining a distinct, modern identity. Influences such as Oasis and Slowdive are present, but the trio’s songwriting elevates these touchpoints into something fresh and uniquely their own.

The band’s live performances have already begun generating buzz, capturing the same urgency, emotional resonance, and sonic breadth found in “Empty Pages.” Each show immerses audiences in waves of sound that range from reflective and contemplative to cathartic and high-energy, mirroring the ebb and flow of the single itself. Their forthcoming breakout EP, due later this year, promises to further explore these textures and themes, cementing the band’s reputation as a group capable of both intimate storytelling and arena-scale impact.

Met with nothing. Excess silence. Cover the landscape with your quiet.

These lines, drawn from the song, highlight the reflective undercurrent beneath the track’s soaring instrumentation. Even as the guitars shimmer and the vocals soar, there is an emotional honesty that anchors the song, reminding listeners of the contemplative heart at the center of Next Week’s Washing. “Empty Pages” is a song about beginnings and possibilities, about filling silence with sound, and about the beauty of music as both personal reflection and shared experience.

With “Empty Pages,” Next Week’s Washing stakes their claim as a band to watch — one that combines technical skill, emotional resonance, and imaginative ambition. It’s a single that lingers in the mind, rewards repeated listening, and announces a trio ready to leave a lasting mark on Toronto’s music scene and beyond.

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About the Creator

Chris Adams

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