The Maureens

The grey skies could use a bit of brightening right about now. January, often plagued by no only the dreariest of climates, is also often a desert of music. Meritorio’s here for the save us with an early-year release from Dutch janglers The Maureens. The band’s been trickling out singles over the last few months, but with Everyone Smiles now in hand, the full comfort of the album is evident. Rooted evenly between ‘60s pop hooks, ‘70s mahogany melancholy, and ‘90s indie pop charms, the record can’t help but be a bit nostalgic, but it parlays that nostalgia well. The album feels familiar, lived in, but not like its simply retreading the past verbatim. Those eras mix nicely — Matthew Sweet hooks thrown through the Brill Building’s reels, Fanclub and Velvet Crush harmonies layered over Emitt Rhodes’ sunset strums.

Those harmonies are one of the album’s most endearing qualities, aside from the breezy jangles. The band doesn’t go for the ‘60s pop approach to vocals, but instead leans into the more restrained ‘90s model handed down from bands who grew up on Bandfinger and Nick Lowe. The album digs into classic lyrical fodder, lamenting relationships gone sour, unrequited love, and crushes that come on like quiet storms. Mixed with light piano patter or a bittersweet wash of strings, the songs on Everyone Smiles aren’t looking to reshape pop, but they glow with a quiet beauty that inflates the spirit. These are songs that recline inward and wrap the listener in soft-hearted comfort. The Summer can be left to the scrape and gnaw of brittle pop, but for these colder months, The Maureens are just what’s called for.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.