A playful, bright, shimmering, witty indie-pop debut LP by the transatlantic duo of Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden, who, following a series of strong singles and EPs, present a variety of clever, nuanced, vivid songs about all kinds of difficult and dysfunctional relationships and self-deprecatory insecurity. Alongside the catchy melodies and clear pop sensibilities come insightful narratives, there’s a twisting depth to some of the first-person narratives. Mexico is a bittersweet number that unfolds deep-seated emotions around the dream of emotional revenge funeral fantasy, the ex turning up to be told that she never stopped loving him, to lay on some guilt. The title track and single is a fabulous pop confidence booster from a friend in the aftermath of a rubbish boyfriend: “Babe, dry your eyes / Did you forget that you're a diamond/ You're the dream, you're a peach, the prize? / And he'll never realize / 'Cause he's just a narcissistic idiot/ Who took his eyes off the prize.” Oats (Ain't Gonna Beg) is a talky, catchy ironic, flirting salvo about how what the relationship might be like": “You could lend me your books, tell me how you cook …we could get really deep talk about our insecurities … but then you’ll push me away … I guess your ex is to blame.” It’s the small details that really give their songs depth, some of them very cutting - such as the dark, floating, slower, melancholy acoustic number Spaceship, in which “some deluded part of me thinks you’re lying, so I keep trying … every time we have sex I do an STI test … the first time I used your loo I thought I could get used to you.” Ouch. Fool is another highlight, a bouncy number uncertain about giving the other space with another playfully sporty video. Other standouts include Ugly, Meryl Streep, the exhaustion expressed in Woman and Child, and closer More Credit. Clever, entertaining indie pop, all inspired by bad boyfriends, but aside from all of this the best relationship which also seems to be celebrated duo’s 10-year friendship one that has shaped this sparkling album of songs. Out on Submarine Cat Records.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new songs and albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: