Graham Reid | | <1 min read
Body to You
The highly productive and still active Juliana Hatfield (Lemonheads, numerous short-lived bands and projects) might take umbrage with the publicity for this second album by Berlin-based Thala: the songs are described as “like a modern day Juliana Hatfield”.
The queen is dead, long live the queen?
Other references given are Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) and Japanese Breakfast.
Thala's breathy pop (1st of the Year), wraparound girly Europop (Body To You), slowcore indie guitar-rock (the widescreen Drive Song), bratty assertiveness (“I want to get you back for what you did, I want to burn down your house with everything inside it” on Spit You Out) and the calculated pitiful-me title track at the end offers a collection of songs which ticks a lot of boxes.
But it really doesn't persuade that here's an artist with a consistent or especially unique vision.
Popular pop (with bangers) and functional in the live context, but Juliana Hatfield won't be losing any sleep.
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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here
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