After having featured  songs on television shows such as CSI: Miami, Grey’s Anatomy and The Hills; its a wonder why UK via Canada band, Dragonette hasn’t caught on yet. With the release of their second album, this incredibly endearing group ups their game with an eclectic sound on top of their usual electro-dance pop.

Having recently played an outstanding, high energy set at San Francisco’s Popscene, and seeing how well they interact with fans, the new album is just another mark to the list of reasons why you should keep your eye on Dragonette.

Among the album’s strongest points is the upbeat yet seemingly dark undertone in such songs as “Fixin to Thrill” which highlights Martina Sorbara’s vocals which have a high pitched, Karen O style sound. The song is a blend of strong drum kit percussion and cow bell which is layered beneath pulsing synth and guitar. Using the same formula but on a much lighter scale is the opening track, “Big Sunglasses.” The song starts off strong with repetitive synth and vocals, which then lead into slowed down verses of choppy lyrics. The hook and chorus are where this track shine, with a light feel and easy to remember, repetitive lyrics.

Dragonette draws from the clear new wave electro sound of the eighties, with just a hint of mainstream cutesy pop. The track “We Rule the World” starts off with deep synth, and lyrics that are mostly spoken rather than sung. The track then shifts, with a Go Gos-esque empowering pop chorus line stating, “Let’s pretend that we rule the world.”

“Liar” has hints of Duran Duran and a rapid delivery of lyrics and notes, though it is an otherwise skippable song of the album. “Come on be Good” incorporates Devo style undertones of robotic vocals and uptempo synth towards the middle of the song with an ending breakdown of vocals and tambourines.

Dragonette is driven by Martina Sorbara’s vocals which have incredible versatility. In songs like “Don’t Be Funny” and “Stupid Grin” her voice is a deep, alluring cabaret while in other songs like “Okay Delore” it is a cute falsetto. Her voice is really showcased towards the end of “Easy” where the overwhelmingly bass drenched melody slows until were left with simply a guitar and her voice.

The album is sprinkled with tracks that don’t quite fit in, for example, “Gone Too Far;” a track smack dab in the middle of the album. Sorbara sings in a twang over quick fingered banjo and hard hits of a snare drum. The Apalachian vibe of the song alternates between the Dragonette dancey electro vibe for the chorus and then back into the countryman in overalls sound.  It might throw you for a loop but you can add another mark on the list; tracks like this alone make the album worth your time and money.

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Album Review