Forgiveness

Way back in 2010, a band called Dom from Massachusetts released their debut EP, Sun Bronzed Greek Gods. It featured this absolute game changer of an anthem called Living In America, which later featured on a 4Music advert that just seemed to come on TV every five minutes. The band released a second EP and after a collaboration with Madeline Follin of Cults on a song about arguably the best haircut imaginable, (the bowl cut) Dom announced that Dom were no longer a band but a solo project. In more recent months we saw a name change from the very Google unfriendly (also see Peace, Girls) Dom to Kiss 1o8. (with intentional O not 0) How confusing.

Anyway, with a lineup change and change of name comes a change in sound. Debut Hyperfantasy XL is still crammed with the sugar drenched dancey vibes that appeared on Dom's previous EPs. This release seems to lack Dom's distinctive vocals and lyrics about honeys going surfing, with only a few samples here and there. One of which is in the third track also titled Kiss 1o8, and it is one of those songs that was always played at your school disco. Always. But I can't quite work out exactly what song it is.
Bleach throws up some similar vibes to Family Of Love's Happy Birthday Party, wheras Turf Lords sounds like driving arcade game music. That can't be a bad thing, right? Overall the album has a fair few 90's trance moments, mixed with noughties pop, with a bit of psychedelic magic sprinkled on top. Worth a listen, however in my opinion it doesn't quite match up to Dom's previous material. To be fair that one about how sexy it is to live in America did set some pretty high standards.

I don't live my life like you do

Ever since Frenchkiss records tweeted about the prospect of some exciting Drowners related news, I've been keeping an extra close eye on everything from Instagram to Twitter (at one point I did think about having notifications sent to my phone, but that's another story). When I got back on Wednesday I was greeted by a Facebook post with a link to a studio version of Luv, Hold Me Down. (queue shaking, hyperventilating) To coincide with this new single, there was news of Drowners' self titled debut album, set for release in late January. I'm so excited. Like, SO excited. I might do a countdown. After playing debut EP Between Us Girls to death it was refreshing yet strange to hear something new from Drowners. I had high expectations, and I wasn't let down. Luv, Hold Me Down is sweet, catchy and is, in true Drowners fashion, under three minutes long. I've racked up over 100 plays already in less than 24 hours. In the words of Icona Pop, "I don't care, I love (luv?) it."
It's even a free download on their website. I love free downloads nearly as much as I love Drowners.