Dig Yourself (2018)
A Fresh Take on Timeless Sounds
Queen of Jeans' debut album, Dig Yourself, is a masterful blend of 60s musical and stylistic influences with a fresh, modern twist. The Philadelphia-based band manages to create a sound that is both nostalgic and innovative, making Dig Yourself a standout record in the indie rock scene.
Queen of Jeans formed in 2016, quickly gaining attention for their dreamy melodies and lush harmonies. Dig Yourself showcases the band’s ability to merge retro elements with contemporary indie rock, creating a unique sound that is as familiar as it is refreshing. The album’s production, led by Joe Reinhart of Hop Along, further highlights the band’s meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to crafting a polished yet emotionally resonant record.
The album opens with More to Love, a track that sets the record’s tone with its dark and grimy yet ethereal and dreamy sound. The chord progressions and backing harmonies are wonderful, striking a balance between moody and accessible pop. This theme of blending moods continues throughout the record, with each track offering something unique while maintaining a cohesive sound.
Clever Hands feels particularly romantic, with 60s-style backing vocals reminiscent of the harmonies on Arctic Monkeys' Baby I'm Yours. It's a moody yet lovely track that highlights the band's ability to evoke strong emotions through their music. By this point you should already be falling in love with Miriam Devora’s voice.
April Still shines a light on the band's knack for shimmery guitars and angelic vocals, creating an almost otherworldly listening experience. You also find Devora really flexing her vocal prowess on this track. Similarly, You're Never Alone stands out as a nearly a cappella track. The only accompaniment to the gorgeous vocals and harmonies are the calm sounds of ocean waves washing on a dark shore. This deeply unique approach sets this song apart and demonstrates the band's innovative spirit.
U R My Guy introduces hints of beach rock to the record, feeling like a moodier, darker take on The Beach Boys, or perhaps ... The Beach Girls! The 60s handclaps and vocals layered with dark, sullen chords create a song, again, like nothing I’ve ever heard before. The track Heads Turn follows and features strong 60s organs playing against moody guitars. It is littered with great chord walkdowns both vocally and musically, adding to the album's rich and atmospheric tapestry of sounds.
The moodiness reaches its peak in Bat Your Eyes, a mellow post-punk, emo-tinged track with dark, rich harmonies and truly shimmery guitars. Sick Day then slightly breaks the pattern with its punky, high-energy feel, injecting some crashing adrenaline into the record.
The album closes with Space, which feels like the culmination of the entire record. It calls back to the ocean waves, the moody atmosphere, the shimmer, and the shoegaze, bringing everything full circle. Space encapsulates the record’s themes and leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
Dig Yourself is a remarkable debut that captures the essence of various influences while carving out a unique sound for Queen of Jeans. The album is mood music at its finest, blending mellow post-punk, indie rock, alternative, and darkly whimsical elements. It's a shimmery, angelic, and deeply engaging listen that will appeal to fans of indie pop/rock, beach rock, emo, and shoegaze alike. Queen of Jeans has truly crafted a gem with Dig Yourself, proving that they are a band to watch in the indie music scene.
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Highlight Songs:
More to Love
Clever Hands
U R My Guy
April Still
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I cannot stress how much I love this band and this record. As you read the reviews of their next couple of records, you’ll understand as to why I believe Dig Yourself and subsequent albums are must listens.
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Overall Rating:
4.5 Stars
