Sundressed
A Little Less Put Together
(Animal Style Records)
Arizona weasel-punk band Sundressed has finally arrived with their debut LP, A Little Less Put Together off of Animal Style Records.
The album kicks off with “Of Course” an inauspicious sleeper hit. The chorus busts wide open with vocalist Trevor Hedges’ ramped up harmonies. It’s a solid opener because it embraces the albums slower and faster paced songs all-in-one. “Mill Ave & Broadway” starts with plucky melodic guitars before boosting a clap along drum beat that’s irresistibly charming. The chorus is sublime as Hedges’ belts out his earnest heartbroken lyrics. This track is the embodiment of what makes Sundressed so special: honest lyrics, catchy guitar hooks, passion and the bands own unique touch. Most notably in this track it’s the addition of horns in the bridge.
At this point I would normally continue writing about a few more tracks that stand out to me, but not in this case. Every track has been stuck in my head at some point listening to this album the last month. The harmonies, melodies, and well-timed gang vocals embed themselves in your head and make you want to shout out the lyrics randomly throughout your day. You could pick any track at random and have it be a hit single. Sundressed executes this so well by often using a stop-and-go rhythmic beat of the guitar and drums keep you engaged and clapping along. Furthermore, rather than saturating their tracks with power chords and distortion, they switch up their dynamic with finger picking chords in their riffs to keep things loose and fresh.
Despite the few faults this album may have, they are hardly a blemish on what is otherwise a spectacular pop-rock record. Through all the themes of angst, anger, and loneliness, there remains a beating heart full of perseverance and defiance. I expect big things from Sundressed this year and this LP is just the start.
Purchase the album here.
