Fade Away, Best Coast’s newly released mini-album, is undeniably the strongest effort we’ve seen from the band in their short four-year span. With seven songs led by Bethany Consentino, a pop-powered California girl for the college crowd, Fade Away transitions the band into a new phase of Vaccines-like power pop with a coastal vibe.
The album’s title track is the best on the album, a shy four and a half minute nod to The Vaccines, The Dum Dum Girls and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The reverberation on the vocals melds them into the guitar, bringing in a dream-like quality that Best Coast consistently excels at.
Consentino sounds like a Blondie for the 21st century. Strong and cool and ready to shout about it. Even if her lyrics are repetitive and simple, it’s how she sings them that gives them their power. Best Coast knows exactly how to articulate a vintage sound and embody a modern persona. Their chord progressions mirror old Elvis Presley songs. Simple to some, yet genius in their simplicity. It is to be appreciated as it is, rather than critiqued for not being more.
My suggestion? Download this album and dance around in your underwear while cleaning your room. Don’t expect a life-changing, introspective view of what it means to be a 20-something in the 21st century, don’t expect to be moved to tears at young love gone wrong. Expect to enjoy the simple moment you’re in.
Rating: B+
