It’s been a hectic twelve months for California’s hottest indie-poppers. Well-received debut I Will Be turned heads with its clever formula of noisy belters peppered with catchy hooks. Before embarking on sessions for take two, frontwoman Dee-Dee, ably assisted by Sune Rose (of Raveonettes renown), headed off to record what’s essentially a solo EP.
She hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but there’s enough in this brief, four-track release to suggest the future’s bright for Dum Dum Girls.
The biggest difference is the clarity of production. While Dee-Dee’s warblings on I Will Be were drowned in the rough ‘n’ ready mix, here she’s audible in all her nuanced and powerful glory. Opener ‘Wrong Feels Right’ is instantly appealing. Its crisp guitar progression is set against Dee-Dee’s uneasy, ringing vocals. A concise chorus, swamped in a swirl of instrumentation, is the gift-wrapping on what is a killer number.
The title track doesn’t mess about either. The subtle pop harmonies rise above the uncompromising bass/guitar combo, before finishing with a repeat barrage of the chorus. ‘Take Care Of Me Baby’ is the greatest departure from the norm. Its moderate waltzing tempo and clean guitars play second fiddle to Dee-Dee’s passionate vocal. It’s an old-fashioned tune, tinged with a distinctive west coast feel.
Finally, there’s a cover of timeless Smiths classic ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’. Taking on one of modern music’s icons is always a risk, but they pull it off well. The original’s vocal melancholy is substituted by positive vibes and the instrumentation, despite staying true to the original, blasts forth with upbeat energy.
Overall, this is short and sweet enough to whet appetites for I Will Be‘s follow-up.