It’s the first blog of 2026 and what better way to start with an artist of exquisite pedigree. Someone who has studied at the feet of the master himself Robin Guthrie. Someone who straddles the shoegaze and dream pop worlds with effortless intent. Of whom do I speak. Of course, its Andrew Rose and his Callière project.
Callière first emerged in the mid-eighties before falling silent for decades, only to return around Christmas 2021 when watching the Let It Be documentary nudged him back towards songwriting. That detail is important people. Callière is the sound of someone reconnecting with music on their own terms and then creating whole new worlds for us to explore.
I know Andrew through DKFM, where we both DJ. His Pristine Masters show is a regular reminder of his taste and musical curiosity. It’s thoughtful, wide-ranging, and always emotionally grounded. Going into Solar, I expected more of what Callière had already been doing well. What I didn’t expect was just how confident and fully realised this album would feel. This is a clear step up in his writing. It sounds like someone who has found his true north and is following it without hesitation.
The album opens with ‘Solar’, a title track that sets the tone immediately. There’s a calm assurance to the way it unfolds, guitars glowing, melodies allowed to breathe. I am reminded of the other worldly Candy Claws in the general vibe which I love. It establishes a warmth that carries through the rest of the record and signals that this is an album built on feeling rather than urgency.
‘First Light’ follows naturally, leaning into that sense of emergence. There’s a gentle optimism running through the song, carried by soft but devastating guitar lines and an unforced melody. It feels like a morning song in the truest sense, not just in title but in spirit.
‘We Can See For Miles’ stretches things out and gets a little darker. The vocals lift the song into the light but there’s a sense of distance here, both musically and emotionally, with layers slowly revealing themselves over time. It’s one of those tracks that rewards repeat listens, each pass bringing something new into focus.
‘Claire From Clare’ introduces a more personal tone. The songwriting here feels intimate and the arrangement is pure sunshine pop. It’s a real curveball and you immediately sit up and take notice. We are definitely in more psychedelic territory here which works so well with the vibe of the album overall.
That poppy sound develops further next. ‘Anne with an E’ continues that thread, tender and reflective. The song carries a quiet emotional weight, supported by restrained acoustic instrumentation that never oversteps its role. This track feels like a big musical hug, it’s just lovely. Everything serves the song, and that discipline is one of the album’s great strengths.
You may have heard this next track on my December DKFM show. ‘The Longest Road’ is the emotional core of Solar. It’s equal parts dreamy and epic, unfolding slowly like a blooming flower. The way the song builds, both melodically and emotionally, stopped me in my tracks on first listen. When it kicks in you are swept away on a wave of euphoria. Man, it’s EPIC This is the point where Rose’s growth as a songwriter feels most apparent.
‘John’ brings us real shoegaze, fuzzy guitars and an almost doo wop track for the gazers. The vocals are hypnotic and trade off each other really nicely in the mix. This is the first track that has felt nostalgic for that nineties shoegaze sound but is reverential with it.
‘Cephalophore’ is one of the more intriguing moments on the record. The song opens with monks chanting which leans into the title as a cephalophore (from the Greek for ‘head-carrier’) is a saint or martyr who is generally depicted carrying their severed head (thanks Wikipedia). This is not a church like song by any means. It’s a fuzzed-out race that delivers at pace a psyche wig out that leaves you breathless. Just check out the bass work on this one. Absolutely stunning!
‘Next To You’ brings a welcome sense of closeness. The song feels immediate and sincere, its relative simplicity working in its favour. Theres a sheen of luminescence over the whole mix that shines brightest in those chorus sections. The drums feel enormous and keep everything moving along nicely. Speaking of enormous, wait until you hear the guitar solo.
‘Mountains’ broadens the emotional scope again moving almost into jangle pop territory. The chorus here is just so catchy and will lift even the darkest of moods. Overall, the arrangement feels expansive, yet never overwhelming, reinforcing that balance between atmosphere and songcraft that runs throughout Solar.
The album closes with a return to ‘The Longest Road (slight return)’, presented here in a slightly reworked form. It’s a thoughtful way to end the record, inviting reflection and reinforcing the song’s central role within the album. Rather than feeling repetitive, it adds a sense of completion.
Solar feels like the sound of everything aligning for Rose. All those years of listening, absorbing, stepping away, then slowly returning, have led him here. There’s a confidence running through this album that never tips into bravado. The songs are patient, emotionally open, and deeply melodic, moving effortlessly between shoegaze haze, dream pop warmth, psychedelic colour, and moments of pure pop clarity. What really stands out is how cohesive it all feels. Each track has its own character, yet nothing feels out of place. This is Rose trusting his instincts completely and letting the songs lead, rather than forcing them into shape. Solar feels present, grounded, and quietly expansive. An album made with care, conviction, and a clear sense of purpose, and one that rewards you more each time you return to it. Are you ready to ride the Solar winds?
Solar is out on January 9th via the Callière Bandcamp page.
You can follow Callière on social media here…
Discover more from Static Sounds Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Static Sounds Club 