Take a pinch of The Happy Mondays, a smattering of The Stone Roses and a handful of Oasis, stir it in a pot and the results will be The DMA’s. The Sydney, Australia formed band could quite easily hail from the north west of England such is their familiar yet own sound that they have formed over an eight year career that has now spawned three albums.
The Glow was originally slated for an April release however it was delayed until July 10th due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Produced by Stuart Price (The Killers, New Order, The Pet Shop Boys), the eleven track album was recorded at Westlake Studios in West Hollywood, California; the same studio where Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Alanis Morrisette’s Jagged Little Pill were recorded - two era defining releases of the 1980’s and 1990’s respectively.
Never Before opens The Glow and as lead singer Tommy O’Dell sings the opening ;ines over the dreamy guitar sound it’s every 90’s guitar song you love wrapped in a new sound. It’s a huge sound not heard on record since Oasis at their peak. It’s comforting, It puts a smile on your face. There’s a band making the music you love.
Title track The Glow is more synth orientated and faster paced, “I don;t know...sick and tired of chasing the cold” croons Tommy. Two for two here.
Silver was released a while ago now and fans of the band will be all too familiar with it. It is a sing a long love song that wouldn’t have been out of place on either of the bands previous two albums.
Live Is A Game of Changing veers into more experimental territory; an upbeat almost dance tune.
Criminals is pure pop. It’s Adele, it’s Lewis Capaldi. It’s top forty radio. The production and arrangement is contemporary. The vocal melody and delivery simply out of this word.
Strangers is perhaps middle of the road before Learning Alive pulls the listener back in. Another bona fide classic in the making. Hello Girlfriend re-introduces the noise, a pop punk anthem. Appointment slows down the pace with strumming open guitar chords. Round & Around is a weekend song; raw and an aching. Final track Cobracaine rounds of The Glow in style, taking the listener on a journey throughout its four minutes length.
The DMA’s third album ,The Glow is quite simply a masterpiece. It is different in places yet overall a familiar presence throughout. The vocals are O’Dell at his peak, the production is top drawer and most importantly there isn’t another band on the planet making songs as good as this. A must listen. **** 1/2
Order The Glow on Vinyl here
Or on CD here
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