Single Review: You’re On Your Own

Inspired by the Madchester sounds of the late 80’s and early 90’s, Auckland Psychedelic Dance duo Dual deliver their latest euphoric single You’re On Your Own, infusing elements of bands like The Happy Mondays, Primal Scream and The Stone Roses with their own contemporary Pop sensibilities. Officially released late February, the track received fantastic support including ‘Track of the Day’ on White Light/White Heat (IT), a feature on Happymag.tv (AU), and praised by Radio Hauraki (NZ).

Dual waste no time with their latest offering, producing a power-packed track containing a concoction of perfectly orchestrated ingredients; a driving rhythm section, catchy guitar lines, noodley synth work, and an effect washed vocal meld together, transporting the listener to a previous decade where baggy jeans and day-glo attire became the norm.

Coming in just shy of 3mins, You’re On Your Own cuts lyrically straight to the point, compactly arranged using a pre-chorus to set up the main hook line, followed by a guitar driven ‘middle 8’ section before careering back into the final triumphant chorus, leaving the listener hanging out for more when the track finally comes to a halt. The momentous energy the track builds and creates automatically lends itself to repeat listens, and the extended version develops the vocals even further, offering another perspective to what is already a solid single.

Whether consciously done or not, Dual have rendered an excellent job of capturing the essence of the sounds they’re referencing and influenced by, yet the pair still manage to carve out their own stylistically individual space which is thoroughly refreshing to hear.