Jerry's Pick: "Smiley"

 

Smiley-Between Friends

Okay, I’m not a reality show guy, so I did not catch Brandon and Savannah’s performance on “America's Got Talent” in 2013. But, I’ve been a fan of this brother-sister duo since I first heard their single “Suburban Wonderland” when they were known as The Heirs in 2017.

Although they may have changed their moniker to Between Friends the next year, the two brought along their alternative laptop-pop bop which is clearly evident in the tracks “affection” and “better friends.” Both are worth checking out.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when the siblings released the album I Love My Girl, She’s My Boy which spawned several songs of note… “Self Destruct,” “What’s Up” and “Redlight.” But the standout track is their enchanting, effervescent, decidedly flirtatious “Smiley” with lyrics which reflect both of their memories of that early-teen dating scene.

Brandon explains to Office Magazine’s managing editor Sahir Ahmed, “’Smiley’ is about new beginnings, something new.” Savannah added, “And you can tell by the sort of playfulness and the innocence of noticing little details about somebody. You’re there with these blossoming feelings, where you’re uncertain whether you’re in love with someone or if you just care about them.”

It's not just the song’s words, but more-so the way those lyrics are presented. Savannah delivers the frolicsome hook in the same bouncy cadence her insecure 13-year old self may have once teased her middle school crush.

“Do you like the way/I talk about you all day/Wanna hear you say/You talk about me all the time…”

Like a couple other selections found on this album, the pair have been experimenting in post-production. “Smiley” starts with the sounds of someone changing stations on a radio while it ends with an abrupt tempo shift as if someone suddenly hit one of the device’s pre-select buttons.

Sure, it’s light but cute and fun. And it offers listeners a brand new pick-up line...

“I really wanna tell you this/You’re like a song I can’t resist…”

Jerry's Pick: "Perfect"

“Perfect”-The Veronicas

I have always been a fan of a prime power-pop piece. And I just found another to add to my collection.

The Australian duo The Veronicas (Lisa and Jessica Origliasso) have been in the spotlight for about 15-years and during this period the sisters have dabbled in alt-rock to pop and punk to electronica. Judging from their just released new single, the twins have come full circle.

"Perfect" is sprinkled with 90’s styled distorted guitars which merge marvelously with their bright vocals. The production on this track is flawless which features tempo changes and adjusted vocal tones to great effect. When The Veronicas finish singing the subdued line "No one makes it out alive," they immediately stamp a large exclamation-mark on the statement while launching back into potent power-pop mode.

Sure, it’s all been done before, but the girls add a certain luminosity to their aural adventure.

The words -- about how social media has affected our sense of self -- were apparently inspired by an anonymous quote… "In a society that profits from your self-doubt, loving yourself is a rebellious act."

In a press statement, they proclaimed their track is about self love. "'Perfect' is a love letter to our younger and current selves. Perfection has a different meaning for everyone. Social media has changed how we interact with the world. Perception versus reality is rewarded and condemned, from what people wear, to who they date. It's like a magnifying glass. We just want to remind everyone to empower themselves, and free their minds. We all die in the end… we have to live with and love ourselves fiercely first and foremost."

I must admit that their message of "Don’t be afraid to get ugly" loses a bit of its punch after you discover it emanates from a duo of dishy doppelgängers.

Anyway, "Perfect" is the lead-single from The Veronica’s new album "Gothic Summer," due-out during Spring of 2024.

So – to sum this up -- when it comes to power-pop, "Perfect" is, well…