Fade Away

After stumbling on their sophomore release, Californian duo Best Coast have returned to their vivacious, fuzzy garage-pop sound for their new EP Fade Away.

In saying that, this EP is not simply a rehash of the sundried sound of 2010’s Crazy For You. There are some tracks however, such as the opening pair  “This Lonely Morning” and “I Wanna Know”, that reek of their classic Ramones-meets-The Breeders formula. The songs are frenetic, drenched in reverb, and guided by an uncomplicated yet catchy melody.

On the contrary, country-ish ballad “Baby I’m Crying” proves that this duo is more than just a one-trick pony. This track highlights Bethany Cosentino’s developing maturity as a songwriter whilst retaining the chilled, lo-fi quality associated with Best Coast.

Additionally, “Fear Of My Identity” and “I Don’t Know How” improve on the coiled energy of 2010’s “I Want To”, using lackadaisical introductions to bring greater power to the infectious, surf, rock-laced choruses. It’s a simple yet effective trick, which results in two of the most engaging tracks on the EP.

The finest aspect on here though is Cosentino’s introspective lyricism. Her lyrics may not be eloquent or profound (“it’s alarming how charming you can be” and “don’t recognise who I see in the morning / used to be so clear”), but due to her effortless sincerity, they’re both relatable and indelible.

On Fade Away, Best Coast have delivered a beguiling pop record, proving that they don’t have to sing about cats and weed to remain relevant.

Listen to “Fear Of My Identity” here:

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