Big Deal – June Gloom

After the commercial success of boy-girl pop duos such as The Ting Tings, it would have been understandable if one had grown sceptical and weary of such outfits. Saying that, Blood Red Shoes are a credible example of when a mixed gender pairing can work for the benefit of good music. So which category does Big Deal fall into?

The transatlantic group, made up of Alice Costelloe and Kacey Underwood, are now releasing their second LP June Gloom and have made notable steps in the right direction.

The album opens with Golden Light, which begins with a soft guitar riff before later revealing an impressive addition of drums. This helps to emphasise the brashness behind their songwriting that constantly bubbles with such passive aggression.

Following up is Swapping Spit, sure to be the hit of the album and tailor-made to impress this festival season. What is apparent from the get-go is the up-tempo nature of June Gloom. The rhythmic chugging guitar of In Your Car is excitable and the Northern Soul vibe of Dream Machines is sweet but not sickening.

There is an ode to the likes of Nirvana and Sonic Youth that is instantly recognisable in the aesthetic of all these tunes – Call and I’ll Come for instance. The rhythm section allows Big Deal to go a lot harder and in Teradactol they do just that.

The band softens up in the second half of the album, which adds a welcome reprieve from the energetic start. It’s almost as if the narcotics have taken effect with Pristine, Pillow and the like.

Their tales of romantic longing and teenage angst will be enjoyed by ambivalent youths with hate in their hearts and love on their minds. Some of the lyrical content is immature and cheesy but the contrast between that and the instrumentation is purposely constructed. Also, Costelloe’s often off-key vocal works well with the dreariness of Underwood’s. June Gloom is a definite improvement on their debut Lights Out.

Samuel Mensah

June Gloom is released on 3^rd June 2013. For further information or to order the album visit the band’s website here.

Watch the video for Teradactol here: