Single Review: Bizarre

Bizarre is the debut single from Auckland-based quintet Fool’s Lagoon. Mark, Connor, Joe, Matt and Joshua have created a bright and summery indie pop jangler which is heavily guitar-based yet is somehow light and airy throughout. The rhythm section bounces along, the keyboards provide a layer of sound, while the two guitars interplay and react with one speaker concentrating on chords, the other on picking, with the later solo coming through both (and it is obvious at this point that the drummer is far more interested in providing fills and rolls than just some hi-hat and snare!). The vocals are clear and well-defined, and this is a song which is surely destined for the radio.

For a debut, the sound quality is excellent, and it came as no surprise to me to see that Chris Chetland at Kog had mastered this as he has one of the finest sets of ears in the business. Personally, I would have liked to have had more contrast within the song, as at times it does come across as a little too one-dimensional, but there is no doubt that the band have confidence and there is no way that one would pick this as a debut as they sound like old hands. The song has strong structure, with some strong Eighties pop influences, and while there is a certain naivety and innocence within the overall sound, it works well, and the addition of the guitar solo and relaxing of the drums is a great idea. Somehow, I think we will be hearing a lot more from Fool’s Lagoon and I look forward to catching them on the live scene at some point.