by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
After a handful of singles and an EP, Slippers 08 is the debut full length from Madeline Babuka Black (Yucky Duster, Le Pain). On this full length, Slippers still have that winking wit and levity to cut through the more tightly wound and agonizing, self-reflective moments that knife at your emotions. The band manage to bring girl-group harmonies together with ramshackle, early to mid 90s twee pop while slipping in an angular and nervy DIY punk attitude that lands surprising, heavy blows. Multi-instrumentalist Babuka Black shifts between shuffling ye-ye inflected moments to morsels of skittering and clanging whimsy in a rather immaculately flowing manner.
“Until You Can’t Give Up on Me” is powered by an unsteady keyboard and diving bass line as Babuka Black’s vocals slide between tones in a delightful burst of melancholic psych. The track is a great example of Slippers’ ability to hide the bitter and heartfelt inside a sweet candy coating. Songs like these are a metaphorical worm in the middle of a caramel apple. “Who Escapes the Storm” has Babuka Black backing herself with acoustic guitar and synth burps before exploding into jangly, reverb-swathed guitar that light up the song. It goes by in the blink of the eye, but here we get a sense of the playful prodding that will have you breaking into a wide smile and bouncing right along with the infectious melody.
“Wants for Everyone” carries a bubbly vocal melody that shows off a bit of the nous of early New Pornographers. The song slips and slides between sunny vocals and brittle, cutting guitar chords as it slowly unveils a bit of tortured anxiety and questioning about what one truly desires. “LWH” closes the album on a bit of a morose note as the song unravels alongside the end of a relationship that has lost its spark. Here, Babuka Black takes every opportunity to twist the knife. Keyboard pops in and out, adding a little bit of mystery before the song charges to the finish line with pounding, angry drums and furious guitar.
Slippers’ pop style is exceedingly charming and full of bright sunshine, but these songs are full of bite and menace that work extremely well. It’s what makes Slippers 08 so compelling. Babuka Black has a tremendous way of expressing these complex feelings that absolutely hooks the audience along for a tumultuous ride. Slippers 08 is delightfully bouncy and warm, one that keeps growing every time these wonderful melodic nuggets burrow into your ears. Slippers know how to entertain their audience with a sense of style and playful charm.