I first covered Dear Boy as part of an Extended Play post in 2019. That was singing the praise of The Strawberry EP. It has been a while before the debut album arrived, but thankfully the Los Angeles quartet have not lost any of their pop sensibilities.
I mentioned in that review that the band sounded far more British than American and the same applies. Although the direction seems like it has gone a little more mainstream pop, gentler maybe, but just as melodic with earworms aplenty.
The 80s comparison still stands and they are not a million miles away from IDHAS favourites, The Summer Holiday/ Somewhere in between The Lightning Seeds and Savage Garden is not a bad place to be and may deservedly give them a wider modern pop audience.
The Indie Pop glistens like Gold from every direction. The hooks and melodies grab you and lead into memorable choruses. An album like this can risk straying into Boy Band Territory, but the arrangements and instrumentation prevent this and sound something more A-ha.
The album is at its best when songs are at their chirpiest and the pace quickens. (On My) Mind is one such example with a lovely Twang included. Say When is very China Crisis in the verse and sound with a big chorus, Forever Sometimes is based on a great riff.
Swan Dives even gets a little Pet Shop Boys. Even with a preference for the faster songs, Evensong is a splendid opener, magnificently moody. The key word to describe Forever Sometimes is gentle. The world still needs great Pop and this album is indeed that.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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