Australia’s DEAN FOREVER describes themselves as an arty, dreamy-pop, art-rock band. Their new single ‘I Thought That I Was Good’ poses an obvious question – one I’m very happy to answer!
Right from the start, the perfectly judged FX gives the track a wonderful, shimmering texture. Kiah Lanagan’s voice has a delicate timbre and delivers the pretty melody perfectly.
The simple chord changes that underpin the track go in unexpected directions and create a slightly wonky, uneven platform for the melody to spring from. Perhaps this hints at the band member’s jazz background.
There is a timeless feel to the track – it starts out like something trippy from the 60’s, but moves quickly into the present day with an expansive sound and layers of distortion. Changing again, the guitar solo just before half time feels like something straight out of 90’s alt rock.
The song drifts through themes of childhood, focusing on self-made pressure – ideas of being good or bad, deserving or undeserving. The band says the track gives a thematic nod to ‘Something Good’ from The Sound of Music:
“For somewhere in my youth
Or somewhere in my childhood
With all that screen time
And all of that white lying
That somewhere in my youth
That somewhere in my childhood
I thought that I was good”
I loved the dream-like, hypnotic quality to the repeating motifs and lyrics – after a whil,e the wailing guitars and eerie vocals started to feel a little unsettling – but in the best way!
Double-time drums and a more straight-ahead rock riff appear from the mist in the final section as the energy increases, and we get one final mood switch – a garage-rock dimension which adds extra energy into the finish.
‘I Thought I was Good’ is out now, and with their sophomore album just around the corner, DEAN FOREVER needn’t worry – they are good – extremely good!
Written by Grubby
