Last year, the Coma Girls released their self titled debut album via Bear Kids Recordings, the perfect summer album full of 50’s-60’s jangly pop with surf rock undertones. Frontman Chris Spino showed a knack for writing pop rock hits on the simple times of unrequited young love. Surprise, Coma Girls are back with their sophomore album dropping digitally (via BKR) this Friday, and we are excited to premiere the first single, “Mexican Coke”, just in time to add to your summer playlists.
Coma Girls of Bear Kids Recordings at Atlanta Record Label Fest
Coma Girls’ sophomore album, Dressed In Stripes, finds frontman Chris Spino exploring similar paths as the first album. This man loves a good simplistic pop tune, and he’s damn good at them. But on Dressed In Stripes, Coma Girls show a growth in their sound, evolving into something more sophisticated. While the core is still built around the four players from the last record (Tyler Dean on drums, Rocky Culver on bass, Chandler Galloway on keys and organ, and Chris on guitar and vocals), Coma Girls have added another layer of throwback pop attitude in the form of trumpet and saxophone. Trumpet player Jordan Hunter and Saxophonist Dray Belle lent their talents to the record after several guest performances at live shows over the past six months, starting with their surprise debut at the Bear Kids showcase last December at 529 in Atlanta.
“Mexican Coke” is the perfect introduction to Coma Girls expanded sound. You still hear the throwback pop, but the melodies are more varied, and the horns immediately have a subtle jump into your ears, giving an element of ska that feels like it could be a hit from the 90’s, instead of the 60’s. Spino continues to explore the push and pull of young love after kissing a girl who’s name he doesn’t know and trying to figure out the perfect pace to take this new relationship. Love isn’t the easiest thing to figure through, sometimes you want to press fast forward, other times you want to rewind. Spino continues the push through the ups and downs, belting out lines like “nobody loves you as much as me” and “I loved you on a rainy day”, while also admitting he doesn’t want to walk her home or talk on the telephone. As the song comes to a close, this is where the horns really take over, a freak out of sorts as the band continues to rock through a faster pace, pulling together the emotional roller coaster that the song explores; looking back at relationships.
Listen to the premiere of Coma Girls excellent new single “Mexican Coke”:
Dressed In Stripes is out this Friday, 6/22 via Bear Kids Recordings.
RIYL: Tennis, Real Estate, The Decemberists.
Album Artwork by Chandler Galloway:
