“Empty Pages” Marks a Bold Start for Next Week’s Washing

Toronto-based trio Next Week’s Washing arrive with intent on “Empty Pages,” an expansive, genre-blending single that feels both nostalgic and newly charged. Drawing on shoegaze haze, Britpop sparkle, and alternative rock muscle, the track pairs shimmering walls of guitar with front-and-centre, harmony-laced vocals—delivering a euphoric chorus built to linger.

Written during the band’s earliest sessions, “Empty Pages” became the catalyst for their creative bond. “It started with a nostalgic chord progression, and we built everything else around that feeling,” they share. That seed blossoms into a widescreen arrangement: reverb-kissed textures, propulsive drums, and a melody that surges like headlights on a midnight drive. Lyrically, the song turns a deceptively simple image—life’s empty pages—into a crossroads: a void if you let it be, or an invitation if you’re brave enough to write.

Engineered by Dylan Frankland (Tallies) and mastered by Noah Mintz, the single benefits from a crisp, dynamic mix that preserves the track’s cinematic scale without sacrificing intimacy. A standout moment arrives in the chorus, where siblings Miles and Julian Duffy lock into a rare harmony that adds tenderness to the band’s bolder contours—a flash of vulnerability inside the grandeur.

“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 band reflects.

“Empty Pages” lands like an announcement: a confident, big-hearted introduction from a group you didn’t know you needed until now. If this is page one, the chapters ahead look bright.