Quirky, irreverent, and aggressively sexual, the ethos of the band, Babes, seems to be making statements that are completely disconnected from the music itself. But that’s what makes it work. They make sad indie pop music with a bedroom vibe. While the songs themselves are sometimes dreary and serious, the players themselves are no such thing. This understanding and self-awareness of what it means to be a band in the post-internet age makes what is already delightfully crafted throwback pop even more fun to listen to. Knowing they regularly traipse around in various states of undress while frontwoman Sarah Rayne sings delicate, personal tales in her self-described, "horny" sad songs, makes me laugh, smirk, and ultimately, keep listening. The band’s debut EP, "Isn’t It Love," sounds like a La Sera album drowning in a tub of its own tears while M. Ward stands over it crooning sympathetically. The album is due out May 27th on Harvest Records. Stream the full EP here and see them live at their EP release show May 28 at The Satellite. – Jacqueline Caruso
