Dreampop continues to evolve in a variety of unexpected ways, with Brooklyn’s Teen Body adding an emo element to it on their latest album “Dreamo” via NYC label Broken Circles. As the album title combines those two descriptive genres into one single word, so does the music represented on the eight songs it contains. “Fell Off” immediately strikes a wistful mood through melancholic chords and Shannon Lee’s syrupy vocals. “Act Yr Age” opts for a more angular progression to support its over six minutes in length and lyrically dense story on the complications of romantic relationships. “Ballad of Tomboy Jerry” continues the record’s pattern of initially restrained instrumentation that ultimately builds to a crescendo, combined with Ms Lee’s poignant voice. Bassist Xela French provides the storytelling on “The Draag,” while both singers shine in tandem on the uptempo single “Validation.” The titletrack pulls all of these elements together via exultant guitar hooks, deep resonant bass, slow-groove drumming and those emotive tandem vocals. You can access “Dreamo” through the various listening services here. – Dave Cromwell
