By Clara Tsac
“Before Others, Yourself Forever!” mixes a bit of insanity with bittersweet heartbreak and queer empowerment in White Boyfriend. The Minneapolis-based trio gently brushes political messages over whimsical harmonies and interesting basslines, told in tales of Minotaurs and long nights. White Boyfriend is a soundtrack for ambiguous-smelling thrift stores, and delivers as many loopy refrains and vibe-out synth chords as any Lyndale Avenue dweller could want.
One of the most chilling songs on the album is “The Smiles,” where the female protagonist touches on serious subjects like sexual harassment over lackadaisical string instrumentals. “When I was little I wished I had the power/now that I’m older I wish I could get rid of it.” In “She Doesn’t Do Drugs,” the chilling triangle riffs drop off into an 80’s big-band style chorus that feels almost conventional, before being disrupted by cheerful shouts. Each track has a distinct flavor, piecing together to make White Boyfriend a patchworked yet cohesive musical work.
More quirky than New-Age, the album is interspersed with delightfully loudmouthed comments. These could be interpreted as either utter randomness or stoner politics. The synth rhythms are sometimes boogie-down disco, sometimes Andy Warhol Pop Art. It’s not exactly vintage, but hops on the train of softly crooning indie pop that is vaguely timeless.
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