Los Angeles-based band Dear Boy release their debut full-length album, Forever Sometimes, on Last Gang Records. Dear Boy has become an important voice in the LA underground music scene, crafting bittersweet songs inspired by late '70s / early '80s post-punk and early '90s britpop, seen through their unique modern lens...

Forever Sometimes offers a unique blend of nostalgia stretching from the '70s to the '90s. For me there was certainly a rich element of influences from the '80s and '90s (my era). I found that the album started off a little slow, before finally finding its stride on the third song, 'Say When' and keeping that momentum going until the closer, 'Heaven Moves'.

It transported me back to simpler times, when discovering new bands was a constant pleasure as each seemed to stand on the shoulders of what previous bands has delivered, rather than the rather bland manufactured bands that slowly seem to have crept up on us over the years.

For a debut this is incredibly well fleshed out, with the band showcasing a confidence and energy that shines through. It's the perfect distraction from current world events. Pick this up, you deserve a little happiness in your life.

9

Nick Smithson