Get your alt-indie pop-punkΒ fix with Lonesome Dove’s impressive debut album, ‘Sucked In’
Lonesome Dove, a supergroup of seasoned musicians hailing from Perth, brings a wealth of individual experiences to their impressive debut record, Sucked In.
Recorded and produced in their own studio, PINK HOUSE STUDIOS, the album showcases relentless and highly charged energy.
Opening with the track “Drive,” Lonesome Dove establishes a crossroads of genre and energy.
The essence of indie is captured in “Sorry,” featuring layered vocals with mismatched tones that somehow complement each other and beaming synth lines.
With guitar riffs reminiscent of early moments of The Cure, a sense of sincerity echoes through the lyricism, and a buoyant, playful current courses throughout Sucked In.
“Bully,” previously released as a single, is a nostalgic track full of hooks and satisfying harmonies. It stands tall even when accompanied by others, with a more powerful vocal, a loose backbeat, and a chorus that channels the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Sucked In remains a passionate effort throughout, particularly in softer moments like “Sixteen,” which showcases Lonesome Dove’s deeper vulnerabilities.
The DIY composition of Sucked In permeates throughout, making reflective songs like “Sixteen” even more impactful.
“Something Dumb” stands out with its immense slabs of effected guitar dirt and quirky rhythms under Ward’s sugary lead vocals. The music video for the single features the group performing live while wearing different animal masks.
“Windows” is relaxed and fun, showcasing the interplay between vocalists. Multiple experimental layers float in and out of the production, rounded out with a chaotic guitar solo that feels right at home.
Closing the record is “Underwater Lonely,” a track layered with subtleties and a pervading energy of hopefulness. It steadily builds, always staying grounded, and seemingly never ends, leaving you in search of more.
Lonesome Dove firmly establishes themselves throughout Sucked In, showcasing their ability and their blending of indie traditions.
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Evolving through two years, one EP, and three singles, these Perth indie rockers are going from strength to strength, with live sets at festivals like Slightly Odway and support slots for groups like Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Screamfeeder.
Formed around founding member Nici Ward, Lonesome Dove brings together talents such as Ben Protasiewicz (Pat Chow) on guitar, Olga Sigurthorsdottir (Snowman, Boys Boys Boys) on bass, and Leo Downsborough (Wrongtown) on drums.
Despite the pressures of global COVID-19 lockdowns, Lonesome Dove independently commenced the recording and production of Sucked In in Ward’s Pink House Studios shortly after the release of AWWWW.
The album was mixed by Andy Lawson from Debaser Studios, known for collaborating with Eskimo Joe, Gyroscope, and Drapht, and mastered by William Bowden from King Willy Sound, a Grammy-winning collaborator who has worked with artists like Kylie Minogue and The Living End.
Catch Lonesome Dove and grab a physical copy of Sucked In at their launch shows across Perth next month, and experience the group’s intriguing mix of punk spirit and modern indie rock in a cathartic live experience.
Hopefully, they’ll soon bring their energetic performances to the east.
Listen to Sucked In below.Β
