It’s freezing cold in Helsinki right now, but that doesn’t stop Finnish surf rock outfit Mary Ann Hawkins from releasing their summery sophomore album Helsinki Surf City. Their self-titled debut LP made it to my year-end list of 2022, this new one is just as much fun, but more diverse. Back then it was all about instrumentals, now Finnish vocals—by Stepa, Marko Haavisto, Maria Stereo and Minja Koski—can be heard on some of the tracks. Whether or not that is the case, appealing reverb-drenched riffs always go hand in hand with galloping heat waves from the spaghetti western desert, suitable for any dance party. This is an action-packed adventure, dynamic and energetic, with a warming effect and much to discover.
Helsinki Surf City, recorded by Valtteri Väänänen and produced by Lauri Eloranta, is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Svart Records.