Last month’s catchy single I Don’t Like You was the reason for me to follow Dutch/British four-piece Fiona Jane Pop on Bandcamp. That’s why I got such a handy notification that Fiona Jane van Gelder (vocals, guitar), Teade Jagersma (guitar, bass), Jaap Mostert (bass, guitar) and Menno Stegeman (drums, percussion) now also have released a full-length album, their self-titled debut. Its twelve songs are a bit more understated than the single mentioned, which is missing here by the way, but the same tension and sharp edge are present underneath the skin. I guess record stores will file it under garage pop, but you’ll hear that influences from blues, soul, indie rock and surf are clearly present. This LP is full of contradictions, not only musically but also in the lyrics: “One day you’re high up in the sky // But next day you’re low and I wonder why” (from Feet on the Ground), “I kept on looking through the rear window // But should have focused on the road // Woh ooh oh” (Rear Window), “Don’t want your favors // I won’t be bound // Won’t pay you later // I’ll pay you now” (No IOU), and so on. It makes it an interesting listen, in which sweet and spicy turn out to go very well together.
Fiona Jane Pop’s self-titled debut album, produced by Roland Wiegner, is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Milkcow Records.
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp