Have Some Fun
Palo Santo, 2018
8/10
Though this is Xuan’s debut album (pronounced ‘Swan’), the songstress delivers like a seasoned vet on a seemingly autobiographical venture into hook friendly indie-rock.
“Not The Man” gets the listen off to a highly melodic start where charming bedroom pop is present as is garage rock as Xuan’s playful vocals detail heartbreak, and “I Wanna Know You” follows with an infectious beat of snappy, warm indie-rock.
At the halfway point, “The Panties Song” brings rock and pop together with a punchy feel, while “We Were Just Talking” is guitar and synth fueled indie-pop that’s immediately contagious. “Break This Heart Again”, one of the album’s best, then displays Xuan’s strong songwriting skill well on a reserved and tuneful adventure that uses repetition strategically.
The listen ends with “Shut It Down” and “Night Drive”, where the former is a more forceful excursion into nearly alt-rock territory, and the latter uses piano and some of the best singing on the album in an introspective environment.
An artist with Vietnamese heritage who was raised in Dallas and began her songwriting life in Ireland, Xuan possesses a wealth of talent, and it will interesting to see where she moves from here. if your interests revolve around the lighter side of the Polyvinyl Records catalog, Have Some Fun should be essential listening.
Travels well with: Moving Panoramas- In Two; K. Campbell- Heads Up