The Aquadolls Release Charming New Album
Charmed is what we feel after listening to the LA-based femme-punk band’s highly anticipated third appropriately titled album, Charmed. The LP was released on June 2 via Enci Records.
The album’s release marks their first in five years since 2018’s The Dream and the Deception. The ’90s production is prevalent, considering that it was produced by The Goo Goo Dolls‘ collaborator Chris Szczech. In fact, Charmed is the musical equivalent of a time machine since the songs are influenced by ’60s harmonies, riot grrrl toughness of the ’90s, and the campy fashion of the early noughties. The lyrical content is defined by tales of heartbreak, love, and longing all while throwing the band’s girly but gritty demeanor in the mix. The songs’ lives started out in frontwoman Melissa Brooks’ bedroom as demos and then became the nine tracks that later defined their growth as a band. When talking about the album, bassist Keilah Nina compared it to the feeling of love.
“This album to me is about love in all forms: self-love, sisterhood, romance, etc., and how magical (and sometimes terrifying) love can feel when you truly succumb to it in every way.”
Keilah Nina
“Far Far Away” is the opening track of the album. It is a melodic surf-rock tune that addresses gender inequality by criticizing the traditional gender roles. Brooks lets everyone know that she does not need to be saved and that she is self-sufficient. It is one out of four singles that has a music video, in which is influenced by retro culture such as diners and rollerskating.
The woo-dop-influenced “Spotlight” is a sweet love song where it makes you feel that you and your lover are the only ones in the center of the dancefloor. Like the previous track, there is an accompanying music video that is captivating as we watch the members seducing us into joining them in their boudoir.
We change gears in “Burn Baby Burn” as we enter ’90s rocker territory. The guitar-driven track is a female empowerment anthem that show us the significance of having each others’ backs during tough times. An accompanying music video was released a month ago where we see all members engaging in a night of debauchery in the typical rockstar vein of sex, drugs, and rock & roll.
The indie-pop “Sneaky” is a conflicting tale that deals with a hook-up that lead into developing feelings of love. The campy ’00s music video highlights the humorous side of this message.
Punk-pop flavored “Any Place but Here” is a bisexual love song that finds the singer thinking about a girl while being with her boyfriend. Next, “Scream” is a rocking out jam where feelings of inadequacy are revealed by fantasizing about being a prom queen. Breezy, country-pop “Your Heart Belongs to Someone Else” is a side piece anthem where the singer feels heartbroken after finding out that the object of her affection is taken by another girl that has “bigger boobs” and dresses in black like her.
The closing track “Cut Throat” is an edgy rock tune that suggests an adventurous night of pleasure. It is defined by the buildup of guitars and shout-singing before concluding with a scream that is reminiscent of ’90s bands like Hole.
Upon the release of Charmed, The Aquadolls received positive attention from publications such as LA Weekly, New Noise, Into, Loud Women, and others. 2023 has been a busy year for the band, having been on their Spring Fling tour since April and concluded earlier this month at California’s Cherry Festival. However, the band is set to appear in Chicago’s annual Riot Fest on Sept. 15 to 17 and the Ohana Festival on Oct. 1.
The success of The Aquadolls is something that founder Melissa Brooks would have never envisioned about ten years ago when the band was first started. It was first utilized as an artistic outlet for Brooks to channel her angst after dealing with bullies during her high school years. After releasing three albums, performing with big names like Kate Nash and Jimmy Eat World, featured in festivals like Lollapalooza and Warped Tour, and touring with Incubus, it is safe to say that Brooks has had the last laugh at her opponents.
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