On Freaks of Nurture, Holy Wave evolves from garage jangle to guitar surges. Voluminous pedals border on shoegaze, the El Paso-to-Austin quintet’s fourth album floating atop a rhythmic haze that serves as the medium. Unfolding dream “California Took My Bobby Away” contrasts seamlessly with the breathless dash of “You Should Lie,” and a brooding oddness to “Magic Landing” opposes the pop build of “Sir Isaac Nukem.” “She Put a Seed in My Ear” and “Air Wolf” come dosed by acid pop. Freaks of Nurture captures Holy Wave as it takes a step toward greatness. (Fri., 5:50pm, Levitation Tent)

***.5

This article appears in April 29 • 2016.

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