DMA's - How Many Dreams?
DMA’S have drawn on a wider palette of influences and sounds than ever before to make a wonderful record, it is an album full of joy, emotion and party anthems.
Sydney trio shine on their genre busting fourth album.
DMA’s have gone about things the old fashioned way. By building up a fan base with a wealth of great songs and fiercely exciting live performances, the band should have been on most music minded folks radar since the release of their debut album Hills End back in 2016 (some of us will also recall their self titled EP from 2014 too)
Three studio albums and seven years later, DMA’s release How Many Dreams? A collection of 12 songs that bounce through various styles and influences that could have you dancing one moment and then crying the next. Opening with the title track you get immediately thrown into a dancehall wall of sound. The song is immediate, there’s a strong Madchester vibe to it which can never be wrong. You get the feeling straight away that there will be no holding back on this album.
‘Olympia’ follows, a song that is already familiar with the fans it has a killer guitar riff that nods to Definitely Maybe era Oasis. What I’ve always liked about DMA’S is that they aren’t afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves and they fully embrace what they love. This comes pouring out on ‘Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s The Weekend’ which has a chorus to die for and will fill the night sky at festivals across the summer.
Another festival/live must is ‘Dear Future’ a song that will see lights in the air and hearts swelling. This feels like classic DMA’s, you get the fans swaying and singing in unison. Lyrically it is a mature, honest and raw and feels full of love and hope. As does ‘I Don’t Need To Hide’ a song that shifts from a classic ballad to a rave, the band clearly had their fans and their live shows firmly in mind when they created this record and it is all the more powerful for it.
The bands new found confidence in their work can be heard in the soon to be if not already classic ‘Fading Like A Picture’ another hands in the air, lung busting anthem. ‘21 Year Vacancy’ takes us into the bands soul. It is a beautiful, heart aching song about waiting and hoping. There’s a real tenderness to vocalist Tommy O’Dell’s singing, he voice truly hits home on this track. This is exactly what DMA’S do best, they have honed their craft brilliantly. ‘Something We Are Overcoming’ treats us to a 90′s rave party, complete with Fatboy Slim breaks and another chorus that just begs to be sang over and over.
The album closes with ‘De Carle’ a Prodigy-like, 80′s infused five minute party that will surely see the return of glow sticks being waved by enthusiastic punters at every single show. It has a wonderful moment half way through the track where we get psychedelic and prog, the song will transport you to outer space if you let it.
DMA’S have drawn on a wider palette of influences and sounds than ever before to make a wonderful record, it is an album full of joy, emotion and party anthems. Where the band go next is up to them but I can guarantee there will be fun to had no matter what. I fully advise you to turn on, tune in and drop out.
8/10
