Artist: The Links Single: elvira Genre: Shoegaze, Art Rock, Alternative Rock Release Date: March 14th, 2025
“elvira” doesn’t hide behind distortion. That’s the first thing you notice. While most shoegaze and dream pop tracks bury the vocals beneath layers of reverb and haze, The Links make a different choice. Jack Morrison’s voice cuts clean through the mix—not in spite of the fog, but in command of it. That clarity makes this song hit harder, not softer.
Formed in Lafayette, Louisiana in the mid-2010s, The Links have been evolving steadily for over a decade, moving from funk-pop beginnings into something darker and more spatial. Their recent work has taken cues from the post-punk revival of the early 2000s—Interpol, The Strokes—but with the emotional intensity of bands like Deftones and the melodic atmosphere of Radiohead. “elvira” is the latest step in that evolution, and maybe the most personal yet.
Written during a period of grief and early sobriety, the song was Morrison’s attempt to process things in real time. It’s introspective, but never static. There’s a current running through the track—thanks in large part to Andrew Lawrence’s drumming and Grant Gauthreaux’s bass—that keeps things propelling forward, even when the mood leans heavy. Wesley Guillory’s guitar work floats above it all, occasionally swelling into the kind of cathartic bursts that define the genre, but always pulled back just enough to keep tension intact.
The track was recorded at Warganized Records Backroom Studio, a local staple in Lafayette where the band has laid down most of their music. Unlike their previous single “sela,” which was captured mostly as-is from live arrangements, “elvira” came together in the studio itself. The band used the process to explore—reworking sections, swapping out sounds, and only keeping what genuinely felt right. It shows. The final version feels honed, not polished. Sharp, but not overworked.
“elvira” marks a significant moment for The Links—not just because it’s a strong song, but because it’s a clear statement. In a genre that often leans on texture to compensate for emotional distance, The Links bring vulnerability to the front. It’s not trying to be obscure. It’s trying to be honest.
And that makes it stand out.
If you’re into moody guitar rock with real weight—if you ever wore out your copy of White Pony or Turn On the Bright Lights—this is worth your time.
The band is currently gearing up for festival season and celebrating their hometown roots with shows around Lafayette, including Lundi Gras and Festival International. With “elvira” and recent single “sela,” The Links are starting to feel less like a band refining their sound and more like a band arriving at it.
Let’s see where they go from here.
