LAUREN EARLY
Firmly out on her own as a solo artist having spent time in notable outfits such as Surfer Curse and Girlpool, Don’t Take My Dream Away is an amazing debut by the L.A. bedroom banger.
The opener ‘Good Girl Bad Boy’ kicks in with Casio drumbeats and overlaid rubber band basslines as Early muses over how she feels about a relationship. The simple chord progression and bubble-gum percussion complement her signature wavering vocals perfectly. The old movie classic sound of strings that open ‘Tomorrow’ fall away to reveal an impending bassline that Early so skilfully employs.
The driving sound that shapes her signature style is that of the bass. The way in which she cleverly crafts a foreground sound out of a traditionally recessive instrument is not only her masterstroke but is intriguing because of the constantly creative and inventive uses she finds for it to construct her tracks.
The single ‘Twisted’ is the embodiment of Early and her methodology. Fusing simple drum loops, undeniable basslines, gnarly guitar licks, and filtered vox. A constrained track with each element jostling, colliding with one another, and threatening to burst through the restraints at any moment.
Slow motion, unravelling, and out of key, ‘Candy Beer Walking Dream’ is a sad affair but remains stoic with its stern cello at its heart. In a similar vein, ‘In The Dog House’ begins its low pulse loops with open string guitar. The chorus fx of Early’s vocals echo as much as the repetition of the title itself. Alt-rock and indie slam together for ‘Never Knows Best’ as electric guitar makes way for a fuzzed-out freaked-out. The swaying and distorted ‘A Good Story’ plays like an indie anthem with its disaffected lyrics and three-chord salute.
The self-titled ‘Don’t Take My Dream Away’ is a carousel of distorted fx, stripped-back acoustic, thick basslines, hummed harmonies, and nonsensical lyrics, all rotating in a parade of streamed consciousness. Appearing for the first time on the record, we hear the piano and keys of ‘Burnout’ which makes for a surprising addition. One that raises the question, why isn’t there more in Early’s work? Especially when she uses it with such skill in conjunction with her corrugated vocals.
Little more than guitar and drums, ‘Shy Girl Twenty One’ is just a solid track. One that feels like it is being thrashed out in the garage with Early bashing out kick ass jams. The wobbly and disjointed ‘Only Time Will Tell The Truth’ rocks back and worth. Slightly unhinged, it musters up an energy that propels Early’s vocals to the fore as she reflects upon a moment in time.
What feels like the blend of two tunes, ‘Just Tell Me’, has honest, paired back moments that find themselves bolted onto hazy guitar riffs which oddly works as a standalone piece. Marching into being, ‘I Was Right (The Whole Time)’ defiantly states its obvious intention but before delving into the predictable, it side steps into a poetic monologue as if Early is perched high on a rostrum while the band is playing beneath her.
Don’t Take My Dream Away is a lengthy debut by Early and one that shows a lot of promise as a solo artist. Taking some of her finest attributes from previous incarnations and branching out on her own, the album is a punchy, gritty, and honest record but then again we wouldn’t expect anything less from Lauren early.
