Your favourite Aussie Trio, DMA’S, have returned with a brand-new album this week titled How Many Dreams?.
Three years on from the release of their 2020 UK Top 5 album, The Glow, DMA’S are back with record number four.
The three-piece have built a global fanbase off the back of their anthemic song writing and a rigorous touring schedule, if you haven’t heard of DMA’S by now then it’s time to get acquainted.
The album picks up where The Glow left off offering a progression of the experimental electronic elements the album delivered three years ago. The atmospheric title track ‘How Many Dreams?’ kicks things into action, setting the tone of the album with fuzzy guitar, a summery electronic dance beat and Tommy O’Dell’s soaring light vocals. The track has a proper euphoric feel to it, a signature element of any DMA’S track.
The stronger moments come early in the album; ‘Olympia’ teams programmed beats and pulsing guitars with yearning lyrics written with fans in mind, and ‘Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s The Weekend’ delivers guitar-driven dance energy, a huge chorus and optimistic lyrics in three minutes of pure exultation.
‘Dear Future’ takes a deep breath and slows things down with a Verve-like introduction into a beautiful ballad. The lyrics voice frustrations at the current state of affairs as O’dell sings “the country’s still a joke”. This one will appease the old fans with its tender delivery and yearning for better times to come.
Another highlight comes from lead single ‘I Don’t Need To Hide’. An infectious feel-good love song that offers shimmering synths, an arm-waving chorus and O’Dell’s emotive vocal delivery which is showcased best here. The intro to ‘Forever’ again draws easy comparisons to The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, the slower track is tender and emotional offering the listener sweet vocals.
Elsewhere ‘Fading Like A Picture’ sounds like it could be from Hills End with its exceptionally catchy guitar riffs. The soft piano intro of ‘Jai Alai’ eases the listener in before the drums and guitars kick things up a notch.
One of my favourites is ‘Get Ravey’, the album’s punkiest moment features some brilliant guitar work and an energetic sound that fans both old and new are sure to love. The record lulls slightly towards its end; ‘21 Year Vacancy’ is another ballad, however its choppy layered vocals and relatable introspective lyrics make it an enjoyable listening experience.
Old influences are weaved into a festival stage ready dance anthem with ‘Something We Are Overcoming’. It leans more into the electronic side but still delivers a killer DMA’S chorus. Finally, ‘De Carle’ closes the album on a slightly heavier note. Think Primal Scream type electronica-indie-disco with a carefree attitude.
Overall, How Many Dreams? is an evolution of sound and style for DMA’S whilst they simultaneously stay true to their roots- the Britpop-tinged guitar tracks that attracted them to making music in the first place. It’s easily their most ambitious album to date, and they’ve successfully created an enjoyable blend of pulsing electronic dance and anthemic guitar music that will exhilarate their crowds this festival season.