She Steals Candy
Fabcom!, 2023
8/10
Although she’s just 17 years old, the New Jersey musician Juniper performs like a seasoned vet across these timeless tracks that offer some diverse ideas of pop, and features guest spots from names we all know.
“BANG!” gets the listen off to an energetic start with Juniper’s bright and expressive singing alongside buzzing guitars and rolling drums, and “James” follows with plenty of backing vocals amid the playful melodies that populate the classic from The Bangles.
Elsewhere, “Picture Of You” recruits Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) on harmony vocals for the intimate climate that welcomes an accordion, while the original “Ride Between The Cars” is a quick burst of retro-pop fun that benefits from well timed organ, scrappy drums and the songwriter Michael Shelley’s fuzzy guitar.
The best track arrives closer to the end, where Juniper’s interpretation of “Turn To You” does justice to The Go-Go’s with a breezy rhythm and plenty of charm, and “I’ve Got A Boy” exits with a raw and animated punk rock demeanor that’s as firm as it is memorable.
Juniper takes help from such noted names as Dennis Diken (The Smithereens), Steve Goulding (Mekons) and Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), to name a few, and they sure do make for a powerful, heartfelt, and often nostalgic appeal that, even at 16 tracks, finishes far too soon.
Travels well with: Stacy Peasley- Make It Happen; Andew & Polly- Go For The Moon