Hey, I’m Just Like You
Sire, 2019
9/10
Listen to Hey, I’m Just Like You
The sibling sensations return with a 9th studio album that brings tunes they penned between the ages of 15-17 to life and reinvents them with their professional musician status and well versed studio skills.
“Hold My Breath Until I Die” starts the listen and isn’t as dramatic as the title implies, as the firm beat, guitar strumming and indie-pop template draw us in quick, and "Hey, I’m Just Like You” follows with soaring melodies and a playful spirit that they’ve built their careers on.
In the middle, “Hello I’m Right Here” offers piano balladry with pretty vocals, while “I Don’t Owe You Anything” builds into full electro-pop, though it’s an anomaly on this collection as much of the record goes back to their guitar focused approach and early punk roots.
Near the end, “We Don’t Have Fun When We’re Together Anymore” moves with a driving pace and strong musicianship that made the duo a household name, and “You Go Away And I Don’t Mind” recruits a modern emo influence into the vibrant pop appeal that’s tailor made for the club. “All I Have To Give The World Is Me” ends the listen with gorgeous, lush sounds that prove that these women were already writing great songs at the onset of high school.
As you can tell by the song titles, there’s certainly an adolescent spirit here, but their present day world class skill dresses the tunes up nicely, and, as always, doesn’t sit comfortably in just one genre.
If you’ve been following all along, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this batch, and if you’re just checking to see what all the fuss is about, well, these are absolutely musicians who warrant all the attention.
Travels well with: Rilo Kiley-More Adventurous; Tancred- Nightstand