Forget Your Own Face

Black Dresses

Black Dresses seem to be awfully active for a duo that broke up two years ago. They haven't officially retracted their break-up announcement but have since released two albums and a one-off single. Don't get me wrong, I'm genuinely happy that the duo is continuing since I found it quite disheartening that they cited harassment from fans as the reason. I'm also happy to see them back so soon as there was a lot of things to like on their last full-length, Forever In Your Heart. While on the subject, I should also quickly mention that I thought Heaven was one of the best tracks of 2021, and somehow slipped through the cracks when it came time to do my list. That's all beside the point as Black Dresses have unexpectedly given us something new to talk about; a mini-album called Forget Your Own Face.

Sadly, I wasn't as hot on this one as I was the last. Black Dresses come swinging so hard right out of the gate as the first three tracks are some of the most aggressive I have heard from the duo. Both Ada Rook and Devi McCallion push their screams to unhealthy lengths, making sure to keep all the gurgles, coughs, and voice cracks without shame. McCallion's screams on the opening track even bend into these maniacal fits of laughter, it is the most unhinged I have heard her perform. This I do appreciate, but the problem is that these first few tracks evolve to be quite obnoxious, with nary a sweet melody to redeem themselves. Also, some of the lyrics also feel a little half-baked, and the performances also feel like they were freestyled. McCallion's antagonistic 'wish you were me' lines don't really hold much weight when they are delivered so awkwardly on u_u2.

Things get a little bit better once we get to NO NORMAL which is like a Vengaboys track, if they were snotty punks. It's insanely catchy, but still every bit as aggressive as one would hope from Black Dresses. MONEY MAKES YOU STUPID is my bid for the best track on the record; a cyber Halloween, EDM banger that has these really ear grabbing stutters that Rook somehow finds a way to lock her harsh screams into perfectly. We end off the record on a bit of a lighter note which I do like. The ending of GAY UGLY AND HARD TO UNDERSTAND has these beautiful twinkling melodies, a characteristic that continues into the final track nightwish. I really like Rook's harmonized vocals, and the only thing I wish was different was McCallion's spoken word verses. They do fit the subdued vibe of this track, but overall they are a little dry.

Black Dresses unfortunately stumble through the beginning of this new offering. The vocals display gumption; taking the harsh vocal performances to a new terrifying level. But this element alone does not a good song make as demonstrated by the first three tracks here. The duo finds their footing in the second half though, showing that they can still write aggressive, blood-pumping tunes, and still be somewhat accessible. I'm definitely not off the Black Dresses train so if they want to surprise us with another project next year, I'd be all ears.